Dublin Chinese New Year Festival 2018 – Year Of The Dog
Written by Dublin Chinese New Year Festival 2018 celebrates the Year Of The Dog
Returning to city this February 16 – March 4, the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival (DCNYF) is celebrating the lunar year with man’s best friend for the Year Of The Dog in 2018.
In celebration, the festival has a jam packed schedule full of colourful engaging talks, fun dog-themed events, scrumptious food and tours that will widen your mind. The festival celebrates diversity and helps to further Sino-Irish relations through an array of festive celebrations.
This year you will get a unique opportunity to explore Chinese culture as the city opens its doors to welcome the festival and new ways of thinking and living.
Some of the events include:
The not to be missed Spring Festival Gala with the award-winning Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theatre, performances by the warrior monks from Songshan Shaolin Temple, Kungfu stunts that have inspired numerous films, including Shaolin (2011) starring Jackie Chan! Presented by UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland, the event takes place in the Convention Centre Dublin, Friday 16th of February. You can book tickets here from €10 – €25.
Let’s Dance – It’s Hip To Be Square; in the People’s Republic of China square dancing or plaza dancing is an exercise routine performed regularly by 100 million people in squares, plazas or parks of the nation’s cities. Led by dance leaders known as guangchang wu, the events are often set to techno pop or dreamy electro- Chinese pop music. Dubliners of all ages are invited to join in; you are never too old or too young, come along and join the groove! The event takes place in Meeting House Square on Sunday the 18th February from 2pm – 4pm
Spring Festival Fair returns to The chq Building with a vibrant two-day programme of free family-friendly entertainment. Inspired by traditional Chinese temple fairs, Miaohui, this year’s spectacular event will welcome the Year of the Dog with a host of canine-themed entertainment, arts, crafts and interactive workshops, suitable for all ages. Come enjoy sugar painting, musical performances and martial arts demos, food stalls and fashion shows, Chinese chess and calligraphy, plus much more. DCNYF is excited to welcome some very special international guests to this year’s event, so make sure to mark the Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th of February in your diary!
And for the foodies out there… there are many scrumptious food events on offer. In conjunction with the Asia Market there will be Friday Lunchtime Chinese Culture Talks with tastings and informal panel discussions on the traditions and cultures of the Chinese New Year Festival. These events include insights into The World Of Dumplings – different types, what they symbolise and how they are made, and Chinese Foods As Medicine- find out how to preserve your health with preventative foods and medicine. These talks will take place on Friday 16th & 23rd of Feb and Friday 3 March from 13:00 – 14:00 with tickets costing €15.
In the Taste Of Asia Programme With Carrolls Irish Gifts Lunar Feasts Chinese and Asian restaurants are celebrating the Year Of The Dog with special set menus especially for Chinese New Year. Venture into Hilan Chinese & Korean Restaurant, Lee Kee Lao Hot Pot and JoJo’s Chinese Restaurant to try some tantalising dishes! Curious about Dublin’s surprising connections to China? Join the festival for a fun and informative Asian Flavours on a Lazy Bike guided tour exploring Chinese influences and flavours in cosmopolitan Dublin. This event will take place at the Lazy Bike Tour Company on Saturday 17th and 24th of February at 14:00 – 16:00, tickets are €25.
There’s so much on that we simply can’t fit it all on the one page so go to www.dublinchinesenewyear.com for the full programme
Happy New Year – Xin Nian Hao!
Join the conversation online at www.facebook.com/DCNYF and www.twitter.com/DCNYF
