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A vibrant display of cultural celebration is coming to George Square this weekend as part of celebrations marking the start of the Chinese New Year. The event, which is open to the public, will take place this Sunday 18 February 2024 starting at 12noon in George Square.
Celebrations marking the Year of The Dragon will include colourful and vibrant performances including Dragon and Lion Dancers, the Neilston and District Pipe Band and a colourful parade. This will be followed by a traditional lion dance and eye-dotting ceremony which will open proceedings leading into the City Chambers for a ticketed event.
This year's celebrations are also being marked by the ‘lighting up in red’ of a number of landmarks including Clyde Arc, Stockingfield Bridge, Glasgow University (south building), Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies. Red is a traditional colour for the festival signifying good fortune, luck, vitality, celebration and prosperity.
Glasgow University's South Building lit up in red as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations
Andy Chung, Chair of Chinese Cultural and Welfare Society Scotland (CCWSS), said: “I would like to thank Glasgow City Council, ng homes, Allied Vehicles Ltd, Arnold Clark, University of Glasgow, Confucius Institute and other supporters for their help in bringing this important event once again in this city where ‘People Make Glasgow’. Kung Hei Fat Choi – Happy New Year.”
Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren said: “It’s always great fun to celebrate Chinese New Year with our Chinese citizens. The annual performance in George Square is always a riot of colour and features dragons, dancing and music. In this Year of the Dragon I’m thrilled to welcome everyone to George Square at noon on Sunday 18 February. It’s an exciting event. Glasgow is delighted to take opportunity to wish Chinese people everywhere a Happy New Year.”
Catherine Rossine, ng homes Chair added: “We have been pleased to support the work of the Chinese community for many years, sharing their culture and celebrations to our communities and the City of Glasgow.
ng homes are pleased to support the Chinese New Year celebrations once again and delighted to see the festivities extend to the lighting of well-known landmarks around the city of Glasgow. It has been wonderful to see the celebrations of the many communities in North Glasgow and beyond go from strength to strength with each passing year and we hope to see it continue for years to come”.
Allied Vehicles Founder and Owner Gerry Facenna said “We are delighted to be able to support the Chinese New Year celebrations. It is a festival of huge cultural importance, and wonderful to see Glasgow landmarks lit up in red to celebrate!”
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important festival events in the Chinese calendar. The Lunar Year 2024 celebrates the Year of the Dragon and lasts for 15 days from 10th February and concludes on 24th February with the Lantern Festival. The Year of the Dragon is said to symbolise power, nobility, honour, luck and success and is seen as very important in bringing about positive opportunities and changes.
