Fan Dance at Closing Ceremony

With a wonderful Closing Ceremony on Saturday 28th January, the first Forres Chinese New Year came to an end. The festival exceeded expectations in so many ways, but the most memorable seems to be the way in which the community came together to join in celebration and participation in all of the events. It’s been a great experience all-round.

  The Chinese New Year team would like to thank all those who supported the festival, which was done in so many different ways – by attending events and talks, coming to the Opening and Closing ceremonies, attending workshops and interactive discussions, as well as the support from local businesses and by everyone who talked about and enjoyed the taste of Chinese culture which was sprung upon the town. 

  May we all experience the best in 2012, the year of the dragon!

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Heather Hatch with SAYI drama group in rehearsal for some of today’s performances.

photo: Lila Schwair

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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!

 Dragon and lion dancing is traditionally performed at Chinese New Year to bring luck and blessing into the year ahead. There will also be performances by local Fan & Ribbon Dance groups and a martial arts demonstration!

Free Event. All welcome! Starting 2.30pm.

 A cracking Chinese New Year celebration is in the works for Forres. On 8 Nov, a group of 10 friends of China gathered at the Falconer Museum to begin planning a week of activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year, 22-28 Jan 2012.

 Initiated by Bisong Guo and Carin Schwartz, the meeting gathered together artists, Chinese health practitioners, dancers, musicians, local businesswomen, and more to brainstorm activities. It was a very lively and productive session, with dozens of ideas generated.

The initial plans are for a lion dance, fan dancing, musical performance, kids/family-friendly activities, a series of lectures & readings as well as a Chinese art exhibit at the Falconer Museum, tea ceremonies at the Dao Tea House, and more. It is anticipated that most people involved will be from Forres and the surrounding area, though we are fortunate to have offers of Chinese people coming in to help, from Inverness to Beijing. The Moray Council has also indicated they are quite keen to support these efforts, as is the Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Association.

If you have skills to contribute and would like to get involved in this exciting project, please contact Carin Schwartz on 696 266. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 17 November.

 PHOTO INFO

 First planning meeting for the 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration, held 8 Nov at the Falconer Museum. Pictured from left to right: Charity Carleton, Bisong Guo, Valerie Wardlaw, Claralynn Nunamaker, Wendy Wei, Monica Lee-Mcpherson, Carin Schwartz, Heather Hatch. Lila Schwair, Therese Poon.

Photo by Lila Schwair

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