More details have been released about Wokingham’s Lunar new year event.
Taking place in Market Place on Sunday, February 9, the event organised by Wokingham town council will see local and regional performers and artists help the town celebrate in style.
A lion dance, one of the most important traditions at Chinese New Year, will be performed in the heart of the town, alongside music, arts and crafts.
In Chinese culture, the lion symbolises power, wisdom, and superiority. Its presence is known to bring good fortune, and chase away evil spirits.
Events will start at 11am with a performance by local Canto pop band 852X.
The Pak-Mei UKlLion dance troupe will be performing at 12 noon and again at 2pm.
There will also be singing and Cantonese workshops with HKR singers, and by Hong Kong Reading Singers and Hong Kong Reading junior singers.
Throughout the day, Wokingham Baptist Church Hongkongers will be offering traditional Chinese calligraphy, crafts and activities relating to the new year
Circus Scene will also be teaching spinning plates and twirling cloths, and there will be a group art project in the town hall.
Street food featuring sweet and savoury offerings will be available to purchase from a number of stalls.
Denmark Street will be closed for the duration of the event, and Wokingham Borough Council is offering free parking for this event at its managed car parks within Wokingham town.
Councillor Barrie Callender, chair of Wokingham town council’s arts and culture committee, said: “We are delighted to once again to celebrate Lunar new year in style in Wokingham, with the iconic lion dance, musical performances by local Hong Kong groups, and arts and crafts marking the Year of the Snake.
“I’d like to offer a huge thanks to all our partners, who are passionate in sharing their culture and traditions, and our street food vendors who will be giving you a taste of food from across East Asia.“
