SPRING FESTIVAL

Chinese New Year, known in China as Spring Festival, is the country’s most important holiday. It also is celebrated in places with substantial Chinese populations, particularly in Asia, and in the Chinatowns of cities worldwide. The celebrations in the Far East runs from the last day of the last month of the Chinese Lunar calendar to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month. The actual date of Chinese New Year 2016 is 8th February.

2016 - YEAR OF MONKEY

The Chinese New Year is based on a calendar that calculates time using both lunar and solar events. Time passes in 12-year cycles with each year represented by an animal of the Chinese zodiac.

This year 2016 is the year of monkey. Those born under this Zodiac sign thrive on having fun. They are energetic, upbeat, and good at listening but .lack self-control. They like being active and stimulated and enjoy pleasing self before pleasing others. They are heart-breakers, not good at long-term relationships, morals are weak. The almanac also states how people born under other signs will fare in the year of the Monkey. This is a generally auspicious year for Rats, Oxen, Dragons, Horses, Monkeys, Roosters and Dogs. This could be a difficult year for Tigers, Snakes, Dogs and Boars. Rabbits should beware their finances. Sheep should take care of their health.

As a typical tradition, markets or village fairs are set up in the week before the 1st day of New Year. These usually open-air markets feature New Year related products such as flowers, grocery, food, games and even some Chinese Performance. It is convenient for people to buy gifts for their New Year visits as well as their home decorations. In some places, the practice of shopping for the perfect plum tree is not dissimilar to the Western tradition of buying a Christmas tree.

With inspiration from this tradition, the 2016 Chinese Winter Wonderland is the first Chinese market ever in the South of England. It will be held at Boscombe Precinct, Bournemouth on 30th and 31st January, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This is a FREE event.

As an open-air market, there will be different stalls featuring Chinese traditional food and other international cuisines, grocery, toys and clothing. The flowers stall will be invited to add some Chinese twist to their flowers and plants with red ribbons and Chinese blessing word labels. Performance of Chinese Dance, Kung Fu, Lion Dance and a Chinese Fashion show will be organised throughout the day to bring excitement and culture celebration; added to this will be cultural displays and performances from other cultures and lands, celebratingthe diversity of the world and humankind. For families and friends, there will be small funfair games and workshop such as making Chinese lanterns to take part in. And a lot more to come...

The event welcome the local and visitors of all nationality to enjoy this traditional celebration of the start of the Year of the Monkey; the perfect occasion to bring the people of Dorset together and warm up the winter season with a colourful market of joy and happiness.