Chinese New Year off to a flying start!

Forres Chinese New Year festivities got off to a flying start yesterday afternoon! Formally opened by Vice-Consul Zhou and MSP Richard Lochhead along with councillor Jeff Hamilton at the Falconer Museum, the opening including wonderful music from the SHIMCA Inverness children, traditional instrumental music from Claralynn Nunamaker on the ruan and Wendy Wei on the guzheng, as well as a beautiful Chinese love song performed by Heather Hatch (vocals) and Kate O’Connell (vocals and harp). Vice-consul Zhou expressed his appreciation and respect for the openness found within the local community, to connect with the Chinese culture, commented on his surprise at being greeted by some of the local people in fluent Chinese.

Vice-Consul Zhou with the Hong Lok Lion

The Forres Town Hall was then filled to overflowing for the wonderful Lion Dance from the Hong Lok Lion Dance Troupe. Vice-consul Zhou and Richard Lochhead “woke” the sleeping lion and painted his eyes, to have the Lion respond to the beating of drums and cymbals, waggin his little yellow tail, with his blue head light glowin and blinking his big yellow eyelashes!  Highlights of the dance can be viewed here. This was followed by beautiful fan and ribbon dances by local children and some excellent martial arts displays!

Monica Lee-McPherson (front), Inverness dancers (2nd row & back), L-R (3rd row): Valerie Wardlaw, Flora Chen, James Lin, Vice-Consul Zhou Youbin, MSP Richard Lochhead, Dr Bisong Guo, Jeff Hamilton, Carin Schwartz

  With many thanks to all for the support for the Opening festivities, we hope that the excitement continues throughout the week, with people taking the opportunity to visit the exhibit at the museum, to attend a workshop, or one of the many talks or events scheduled in the coming days.

Today we have many of the team visiting local schools for storytelling, Chinese writing and festival activities, as well as a talk with Lazurites expert, Mr James Lin, at the Falconer Museum at 2pm There will also be a Tea Performance at the Museum, with Mingming Poon, at 6pm. Both events are Free!