I am writing this article as I attend the Chinese New Year celebrations in London today - Sunday 29 January 2017. A full day of Chinese cultural activities stretching from Gerrard Street to Trafalgar Square organised by London Chinatown Chinese Association and supported by the Mayor of London.
London hosts one of the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia because of our large Chinese community, originating from the 1600s when tea was a major import from China and Cantonese seamen were employed by the London headquartered East India Shipping Company trading along the old Silk Road (an east meets west sea route). By the mid 1880’s seamen’s lodging – houses, grocery stores, eating and meeting places formed the original Chinatown in Limehouse near the docks.
Having joined the celebrations myself in London since around the age of 5, I can confirm it is a fascinating and fun cultural experience. My most vivid memory of my first visit is of the lion dance parade (a fantastic procession of lions, dragons, acrobatics and drums) and cabbage being given to the lion who put it in its mouth then spat it out! This is a traditional custom called ‘cai quing’ meaning ‘plucking the greens’. Any green vegetable is hung on a pole with a red envelope containing money, the greens are spat out and the red envelope is kept as the reward for the lion troupe. The streets are decorated with beautiful vivid red Chinese lanterns and nothing beats the smoke filled atmosphere and loud noise of the fantastic firecrackers in Trafalgar Square around midday. From my first experience I cherished my paper dragon and red lantern bought from one of the many craft stalls for a long time after!
Chinese legend tells us that people feared this darkest night of the year due to a fearsome beast called Nian (meaning year) sneaking into the village frightening all who saw it. A wise man told the villagers that Nian was afraid of three things: loud noise, fire and the colour red. The next time Nian came, the villagers banged drums as loud as they could, lit fire crackers and wore red from head to toe causing Nian to run away.
Today’s celebration also brought together the Mayor of London with the Chinese Ambassador and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office which is really important in the official celebrations of our past and future trading relationship.
On the 18 January this year, the first freight train from China to UK travelled along the new Silk Road (an east meets west overland route) arriving in one of my local train stations - Barking! The 12000km Journey took 18 days. The train set out from the manufacturing city of Yiwu with freight consisting of clothes and high street goods. The service is faster than sending goods by sea and cheaper than air freight and will run weekly with UK goods being delivered to China via the return journey. A lion welcomed the train which was met my dignitaries from both countries heralding this new era in Anglo - Chinese Trade links and celebrating the revival of the ancient Silk Road created more than 2000 years ago.
My day has come to an end. An event I particularly liked was the Guangdong Puppet Art Theatre. Guangdong is the one of the originating cities of the Cantonese seamen. The puppets were very life-like and included a wonderful multi -coloured large bird. The rain and cold forgotten with spirits lifted by brightly coloured costumes and smiling faces. Exhausted but exhilarated, I look forward to the 2018 celebrations!
Tanya Louise Hill, ilford ursuline academy
