Chinese New Year 2017

                                  

Chinese New Year in 2017 starts on 28 Jan, when Chinese people welcome in the year of the rooster. The new year occurs with a new moon.

It is also known as the Spring Festival. However most Northern Hemisphere cultures reckon that spring starts with the Vernal Equinox in March (usually 20th - 21st).

I was surprised to see in London that the Chinese restaurants and takeaways were all open on the first day of CNY.

The London CNY celebrations are supposedly the biggest in the world outside of China (and Hong Kong). The main celebrations in London took place on the 2nd day of the new year, Sun 29th. I got to Trafalgar Square before the 10 am start and there were already crowds of people lining the parade route. Luckily I managed to squeeze in and get a relatively good view.

The parade went from Trafalgar Square up Charing Cross Road to Shaftesbury Square and on to China town.

A gweilo handing out badges

Fast moving dragon -

There were lots of lions -

The parade was surprisingly quiet, very few drums or gongs

Even the London fire brigade were involved, carrying a dragon -

Goddess of Mercy -

High flying lions

The only float to have fire cracker decorations -

There were many activities on a large stage in Trafalgar Square in the afternoon and evening. I went home and watched them on TV.

Kung Hei Fat Choy (Cantonese)

Gong Xi Fa Cai