FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: JEFFREY YAP Phone: 0121 707 4355
E-mail: pr@cnybirmingham.org.uk
BIRMINGHAM, UK - The FREE Annual Birmingham Chinese New Year Celebrations sponsored by Lebara Mobile were celebrated by record crowds on Sunday 29 February.
“Birmingham’s Chinatown was awash with colour as nearly 30,000 people descended on the Arcadian Centre to usher in the most auspicious Year of the Dragon. Thousands of families from all communities turned out as a vibrant programme of Lion Dancing, Kung Fu demonstrations, Chinese Acrobatics and many more, coupled with dry weather, created a carnival-like atmosphere for the thousands of revellers who turned out to celebrate – especially as it was all provided free of charge.
Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Anita Ward and Leader of Birmingham City Council Mike Whitby kicked off the celebrations by performing the traditional “dotting of the dragon’s eyes” ceremony to mark the start of the Chinese New Year. A spectacular firework display and dragon dances filled the Arcadian Centre with noise and colour. The continued partnerships with Lebara Mobile and Genting Casinos meant the festival exceeded all expectations. There were more stalls and entertainments on Hurst Street, where people sampled Chinese food and had their names written in Chinese calligraphy. Birmingham Hippodrome also provided a second performance area in the Patrick Centre where a programme of cultural performances was seen by packed audiences.
On the main stage in the Arcadian Centre, members of the public from all communities were treated to thrilling acrobatics from the Bai Ling Chinese Acrobats, spectacular Lion Dancing on poles by the Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu academy and charming dancing from the children of Chinese schools in Birmingham. For the first time, there was even a double-decker bus which toured the City Centre with Dragon Dancing on board!
Festival Committee Chairman Jeffrey Yap said, “This year’s celebrations were the best yet. We were delighted to see so many families from all communities come to the usher in the Year of the Dragon. We hope the Dragon brings good fortune to businesses and families across the region. Our event is becoming so popular, and we hope to build on that success to ensure the Year of the Snake is even more successful! Thanks must go to all committee members for their hard work throughout the year, and partners for their support.”
The main sponsor for the 2012 festival was Lebara Mobile. The silver sponsor was Genting Casinos. Other partners include: Birmingham City Council (Leisure and Tourism), The Arcadian Centre, Ibis Hotels (Birmingham City Centre), Birmingham Hippodrome and Midland Linen Services."
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Note to editors:
1. When publishing stories about the above event online, please provide a link to our official website: http://www.cnybirmingham.org.uk.
2. Chinese New Year’s Day fell on 23 January 2012 but changes annually.
The Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee is a voluntary, non-profit making organisation. It's membership comprises of:
Birmingham Chinatown Lions Club
Birmingham Chinese Women's Association
Birmingham Chinese Society
Birmingham Overseas Chinese Association School
Arcadian Centre Management
Birmingham City Council (Leisure and Tourism Dept.)
Chinese Community Centre, Birmingham
Birmingham Chinese School
Press Release - Birmingham gears up to usher in the Year of the Dragon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: JEFFREY YAP Phone: 0121 707 4355
E-mail: pr@cnybirmingham.org.uk
BIRMINGHAM, UK - The FREE Annual Birmingham Chinese New Year Celebrations sponsored by Lebara Mobile will take place on Sunday 29 January, from 11.30am to 5.30pm in the Arcadian Centre in Birmingham's Chinese Quarter.
"Following the success of recent celebrations in Birmingham to mark the Chinese New Year, the Festival of 2012 promises to be even bigger and better. The Festival of 2011 saw record crowds descend upon the Arcadian Centre. Mesmerising acrobatic and cultural performances made it truly a great day out for all the family - especially as it was all provided free of charge.
Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Anita Ward and Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby will be on hand to mark the start of the Celebration by performing the traditional Ceremony of Dotting the Dragon's eyes. The celebrations will start with a bang, with an extravagant dragon and lion dance closely followed by a fireworks display. Acrobatic and cultural displays will fill the rest of the programme, and there is sure to be something for everyone. There will be more stalls than ever open from 11.30am which visitors can browse at their leisure throughout the day as a result of the closure of Hurst Street, and there will be an even bigger screen than last year enabling visitors can continue following the action onstage while browsing the stalls.
There will be an extra performance space in the Patrick Centre of Birmingham Hippodrome with special cultural performances at 1pm and 3pm - entry is free with tickets available on the door. The day will be concluded with a spectacular Firework Finale.
Festival Committee Chairman, Jeffrey Yap said "As proven by previous years, the Celebration here in Birmingham is by no means confined to the Chinese Community. Each year we are thrilled to welcome people from all communities to join in the fun and enjoy celebrating one of the oldest celebrated festivals in the world. Thanks to the involvement of our main Dragon sponsor, Lebara Mobile, and Tiger sponsor Genting Casinos we have been able to put on an even bigger and better show for the people of Birmingham."
Birmingham’s Chinese New Year Festival, sponsored by Lebara Mobile, is organised by the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, and is free to the public thanks to the co-operation of our Corporate and Municipal partners. Lebara Mobile’s UK Managing Director, Russell Atkinson, said, “We are delighted to be associated with the Chinese New Year festivities taking place across London, Birmingham and Manchester. Lebara Mobile’s success is built on its commitment to helping customers stay closer to their friends and family through industry-leading products and services. We are passionate about supporting important festivals and events such as Chinese New Year, which enable us to connect with our customers in their community. We extend Chinese New Year greetings to all our loyal customers and other festival goers.” Our Tiger sponsor is Genting Casinos, and other partners include: Birmingham City Council (Leisure and Tourism), The Arcadian Centre, Ibis Hotels (Birmingham City Centre) and Midland Linen Services.
The aims of the BCFC are to organise, develop, and maintain the Chinese New Year Festivities in Birmingham to a standard which reflects the high level of interest the wider community in the Midlands have for Chinese culture. The Committee also strives to promote Chinese culture through displays at other events, such as Birmingham's Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival."
-ENDS-
Note to editors:
1. When publishing stories about the above event online, please provide a link to our official website: http://www.cnybirmingham.org.uk.
2. Chinese New Year’s Day falls on 23 January 2012.
3. Press requiring accreditation for special access to the venue on the day should email pr@cnybirmingham.org.uk.
The Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee is a voluntary, non-profit making organisation. It's membership comprises of:
Arcadian Centre Management
Birmingham Chinatown Lions Club
Birmingham Chinese Society
Birmingham Chinese Women's Association
Birmingham City Council (Leisure and Tourism Dept.)
Birmingham Overseas Chinese Association School
Chinese Community Centre, Birmingham
The Birmingham Chinese School
