2008: THE YEAR OF THE RAT

London is the home of the largest Chinese community in Europe.
Each year there are Chinese New Year Celebrations in the area around Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Chinatown (Soho).
Many thousands of people go to enjoy the free events throughout the afternoon.

2008 is the year of the rat
This started on Thursday 7 February 2008.

The main public celebration in London was on Sunday 10 February 2008.
Photos from this event are shown below.

In China this time is often known as the Spring Festival. People celebrate the end of winter with their friends and family and look forward to a happy and prosperous year ahead.
The Chinese New Year starts in January or February (the date depends on the timing of the new moon).

An animal is used to represent each year. It is said that Buddha asked the animals to meet him at the time of the Chinese New Year.
Years are named after the twelve animals which came, repeated in a cycle every 12 years.
It is believed that people born in each animal's year share some of the features of the animal's personality.

The 2008 Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown started with a grand parade from 11am.
The route is: The Strand (near Savoy Court), St Martin's Place, Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury Avenue (it finishes opposite Rupert Street).

It is traditional that the money god (below, middle) hands out red envelopes containing money or vouchers.
Red is a symbol of good luck and prosperity, so this colour is popular during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Many types of animal are represented, including mice/rats (this year's symbol), lions, and dragons:


In 2008 the Olympic Games will be staged in Beijing. There are 5 mascots, one for each of the Olympic rings (Yingying, an antelope, is not shown below):

Jingjing (a panda)

Huanhuan (fire)

Beibei (fish and water)

Nini (a swallow)

Groups of dancers came from China to perform in the UK:

Most universities in the UK have a CSSA (Chinese Students and Scholars Association).
London groups who joined the parade included Queen Mary's and SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies):

During the afternoon (from noon until 6pm) there were Chinese cultural performances on a stage in Trafalgar Square.
After a short Thanksgiving Ceremony was the Opening Ceremony, including short speeches by the Mayor of London, Chinese Ambassador and other officials.
A new dragon had its blindfold removed and its eyes were painted on. It then came to life, bringing good luck for the New Year.
After dragon and lion dances and the arrival of the Money God, there were performances of music, dance and martial arts.

Dancers and singers from China entertained the crowds:
- Art Troupe of Ren Da Fu Zhong (RDFZ) - the high school affiliated to Renmin University of China
- The All-China Women's Federation Youth Art Group
- Beijing Dance Drama Opera House
- Beijing Little Star Dance Group

Lion dancers from the Nang Yang Pugilistic Association showed off their acrobatic skills:


Stage performances also included demonstrations of music and martial arts:

The streets just north of Leicester Square and east of Shaftesbury Avenue are known as London's Chinatown (part of the area called Soho).
Many Chinese businesses and restaurants are located here. Lots of street stalls open for the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Hundreds of red lanterns are hung up (red represents fire, which is believed to keep away bad luck and create prosperity).

Since this is the Year of the Rat, many toy rats/mice were on sale:

The table below shows which animal you are, depending on the year in which you are born.
Note: if you were born in January or February you need to check if your birthday was before or after the date of the Chinese New Year
(if it was before this day your animal is the one shown for the previous year).

The dates for the start of the next new years are:
2009 - Jan 26 ; 2010 - Feb 14 ; 2011 - Feb 3 ; 2012 - Jan 23 ; 2013 - Feb 10 ; 2014 - Jan 31

For further information about the China in London events in February/March/April, see: http://www.visitlondon/china

For further details about the Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown, see: http://www.chinatownchinese.co.uk