Ring in the rabbit
2/02/2011 1:35:00 p.m.
Four-Year-old lion Ximing Dong.
Playing a vital role as a lion in the street parade on February 13 is four-year-old Ximing Dong - part of Wellington Sport and Cultural Centre’s Lion Dance Group.
Ximing Dong, whose name means ‘hope for a bright future’, was adopted from China by Michael and Joanne Dong and was just 12 months old when she arrived in Wellington in March 2007. Dong was practicing her lion roar at the NZSO performance last Saturday with her family, including Chinese New Year Programme Director, Linda Lim - one of Dong’s ‘surrogate’ parents. When asked who Dong’s guardian was, a group of her family and friends replied: “We all are” before Joanne Dong identified herself.
Lim says it’s important for children, like Dong, to “participate in the most important celebration in Chinese culture”, which is all about family, community and togetherness.
It’s customary for Chinese people to return home to reunite with family for traditional meals, such as dumplings stuffed with hidden coins, gift and clothing exchanges, and fireworks displays, so if you’re stuck in town then make the most of the Chinese New Year festivities.
The party begins on Saturday, February 5 with Sin Nian Rabbit Magic at Capital E, Civic Square. The all-family event includes themed games, crafts, entertainment and magic shows, and the party doesn’t stop there. There are many events highlighting traditional Chinese practices, with a Wellington twist.
Next week, the Street Parade starts from Courtenay Place at 2pm on February 13, and a fashion and dance show New Clothes for the New Year will be followed by Festival Fireworks Display on Saturday, February 12. The finale of the festival, on Sunday, February 13, will feature an Asian Market with food and craft stalls, as well as the biggest event of the day - Hebei Acrobatic and Magic Troupe - on the Asian Market stage and at Frank Kitts Park.
Chinese New Year Festival, Year of the Rabbit, February 5-13.
