The Chinese New Year Lantern Festival is celebrated enthusiastically amongst the Chinese communities of Christchurch. On this day amazing lanterns, attractive performances and numerous stalls selling food and souvenirs are to be seen. This unique event displays the most attractive aspects of Chinese culture, with talented performers from diverse cultural groups staging enthralling presentations. The myriad of charming lanterns are one of the most distinctive aspects of the celebrations with attractive designs in the shapes of plants, animals, people and other creations to be seen. The Chinese handicraft stalls offer many attractive curios while visitors can replenish their energies with typical Chinese snacks at the multitude of food stalls.
The actual date of the Chinese New Year varies slightly, falling in January or February, as it is calculated according to the lunar calendar. The celebrations for 2012 in Christchurch will be held in North Hagley Parks Carlton Corner. Visitors will be able to enjoy a delicious meal amidst the myriad of picturesque lanterns imported from the nation of China. Sensational entertainment is planned with a lion and dragon dance troupe from the city of Shanghai, a modern dance and opera group hailing from Taizhou and a Chinese-style reggae outfit from the capital Beijing.
Typically Chinese families observe many customary traditions at the time of the New Year since it celebrates the coming of warmth and light after the cold days of winter. As the festival marks the advent of spring and family reunion, homes are thoroughly cleaned to eliminate the marks of previous misfortune. Outstanding bills are settled and new clothing is purchased for the family members.
According to Chinese tradition the Kitchen God watches over each household and makes his report to the supreme Jade Emperor at this time. To appease the Kitchen God, he is served the finest food and his lips are coated with honey.
Wood-block prints known as nianhua are placed on each doorway signifying the familys hopes for the coming year. Red is the predominant colour at the celebrations and fortune telling is a common practice at this time.
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