Dublin Chinese New Year Festival 2020 Programme Announced

The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival has announced it’s programme of events and there’s so much to do!

It’s the Year of the Rat in the Chinese New Year calendar and the team behind the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival have announced their programme of events from Friday 24th January – Monday 10th February 2020. A Dublin City Council initiative, the festival organisers invite everyone to be part of the celebrations and immerse yourself in Chinese culture through this great programme of events.

There will be talks, visual arts, performance, film, music and family friendly events.

This year’s highlights include:

• Spring Festival Fair, two wonderful free days of music, colour and fun at the iconic Dublin City Fruit and Vegetable Market
• Many buildings and landmarks across Dublin and Kildare will light up in festive red to welcome Chinese New Year
• Two days of fantastic family-friendly celebrations at Kildare village, including interactive activations by special guests from China.
• A selection of  of galas / concerts, where you can enjoy Chinese talent and culture in live performances including Mongolian ethnic dance, acrobats and Peking opera.
• Intriguing talks & lectures exploring various aspects of modern and historic Chinese life including China’s role as a space superpower, the lives of Chinese children over the past century and even Chinese swear words!
• A wealth of films and exhibitions to explore.
• A myriad of food experiences and food tours to give you a real taste of Asia.
• Tours both in Chinese and in English celebrating the rich Chinese culture in Dublin.
• Hands-on workshops for adults and families / children to learn more about Chinese traditions and arts.

So whether you want to try some square dancing, sample dumplings, wonder at Chinese art, experience a Chinese tea ceremony, create your own Chinese puppet or immerse yourself in culture, film and music, Dublin Chinese New Year Festival 2020 there’s something for everyone!

Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul Mc Auliffe said: “Dublin Chinese New Year Festival has been a wonderful addition to Dublin’s cultural calendar since its founding in 2008. This year’s programme is one of the strongest to date, with a jam-packed schedule of exciting events set to take place across the city.”

Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency He Xiangdong, said: “As we prepare to welcome the Chinese New Year of Rat, I am delighted to extend my festive greetings and best wishes to the Chinese Community in Ireland and to our Irish friends and partners. I wish everybody a very happy and prosperous new year!”

 

Be part of the celebrations with many free events including: 

• The centrepiece of the Festival will be two days of music, colour and fun at the SPRING FESTIVAL FAIR taking place at Dublin’s iconic Fruit and Vegetable Market on Mary Street. Ahead of its redevelopment, this much-loved Victorian market will reopen to play host to a free, family-friendly celebration, based on traditional Chinese temple fairs. Celebrate with a jam-packed programme including workshops, performances, tasty food stalls, demos and lots more. (Sat 25^th 11am-6pm & Sun 26^th Jan, 11am-5pm, Free)
• LIGHTING UP THE CITY: The Great Wall of China famously lights up green for St Patrick’s Day and, for Chinese New Year, Dublin City returns the favour! For the fifth year in a row, the festival is teaming up with Tourism Ireland and participating venues to illuminate recognisable landmarks and sites in festive red to welcome The Year of the Rat.
• Dance the day away: Why not give CHINESE SQUARE DANCING or Guangchang Wu a try at Wolfe Tone Square (1^st Feb 2pm-4pm, Free)
• DUMPLING DAY: Visit Asia Market for a delicious dumpling tasting experience! Dumpling making, dumpling cooking and dumpling tasting galore in store all day (31^st Jan, 12 noon, free)
• CHINESE NEW YEAR FOOD EXTRAVAGANZA: Get your tastebuds ready and come hungry to experience the full flavour of an authentic Asian market in this Chinese New Year Food Extravaganza (Asia Market, 1^st & 2^nd Feb, 12 noon – 5.30pm, free)
• TOUR OF IMMA IN MANDARIN: Join a guided tour in mandarin of IMMA’s international group exhibition entitled ‘Desire: A Revision from the 20th Century to the Digital Age’ spanning over a hundred years (1^st Feb, 2.30pm, free)
• TOUR OF CHESTER BEATTY’S CHINESE COLLECTION: Join Brian O’Neill, one of Chester Beatty’s most experienced guides, as he presents some of the superb items from the Chester Beatty’s Chinese collection (6^th Feb, 1.10pm, free)
• BILINGUAL TOUR OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND – DECORATIVE ARTS & HISTORY: Celebrate Chinese New Year with an English/Mandarin tour of the museum’s collection of objects originating from China. (9^th Feb, 3pm, free)

For the full programme of events see dublinchinesenewyear.com