An Asian banquet for the whole family, a lunar lantern trail of dazzling illuminated animals and a spectacular face-changing performance are some of the ways Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival curator, Claudia Chan Shaw, will celebrate this Chinese New Year.
The acclaimed Australian-born fashion designer will combine her Chinese New Year celebrations with curating one of the largest Lunar New Year festivals outside Asia.
For Claudia and many others celebrating the Lunar New Year, food is at the heart of the festivities.
“Chinese New Year always makes me think about my Chinese grandparents – as kids we would go to their house for a fabulous banquet,” Claudia said.
“The marathon would start hours before dinnertime, with my siblings and I hanging around the kitchen, watching the preparations and hoping to pinch some of the food. Both grandparents have since passed away, but the tradition continues with the family gathering at a restaurant.
“This year we will head to Golden Century – this is one of my family’s all-time favourite restaurants.
“We'll be eating dumplings (which are thought to look like gold or silver ingots) and uncut noodles (for longevity), and fish will be on the table to represent prosperity.”
With dozens of restaurants across the city featuring in Lunar Eats, thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors will also indulge this Chinese New Year, enjoying everything from Chinese-style oysters at Opera Bar and yum cha at Zilver, to dumplings at the Emperor’s Garden and spicy red curry at Siam House.
Another highlight of the festival is the Lunar Lanterns exhibition. The exhibition features 12 giant lanterns of the Chinese zodiac signs – some towering up to 10-metres tall – with an additional Year of the Rooster lantern in the heart of Chinatown.
“The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac have never looked so impressive,” Claudia said.
“Each animal is a glowing contemporary take on traditional lanterns – but there's nothing traditional about the design of these impressive beasts! Leading Chinese-Australian artists have put their unique stamp on each of the animals.
“The exhibition starts at the Sydney Opera House with the dramatic and awe-inspiring Roosters by amigo and amigo, with their wings outstretched and feathers flying. This is a first – Sydney's most recognised icon will share the stage with this jaw-dropping installation.
“We want to encourage visitors to follow the lanterns exhibition through Circular Quay to see each zodiac animal and finish with the Rabbit lanterns at Dawes Point.
“The Rat lantern outside Customs House, by Guo Jian, is sure to make everyone smile. The cheeky critters come to life as glamourous showgirls dancing on a rainbow – this has to be seen to be believed!
“And artist Tianli Zu's fabulous interactive installation in Chinatown, the Pentatonic Roosters, features five contemporary chooks inspired by Chinese musical instruments.”
More than 1,000 performers from different communities celebrating the Lunar New Year are taking part in live community performances and workshops, from traditional lion dances and folk dances, to hip hop, martial arts and drumming.
Claudia said the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival shines a spotlight on all cultures that celebrate the Lunar New Year, with more than 80 associated events on offer across the city.
“I'm looking forward to favourites like the dragon boat races, lion dances, and the Lunar Markets as well as new exhibitions and performances, including the ancient Chinese dramatic art of face changing,” Claudia said.
“The performance by Sichuan Art Group on Sunday 5 February features one of the most powerful and romantic forms of artistic expression in Sichuan opera, depicting the swift change of emotions in characters and twists in stories.
“I'm also thinking of learning tai chi in the Chinese Garden of Friendship, and taking in a few exhibitions, including Ken Leanfore's photographic exhibition ‘What's in a Surname’.”
From its humble beginnings as a small community festival in Chinatown, the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival has grown exponentially and in 2017 celebrates 21 years.
At Martin Place, the Westpac Lunar Lantern Hub will feature a 50-metre canopy of red lanterns, food, drink, The Star Fortune Mahjong Garden and nightly DJs and entertainment.
On Friday 3 and Saturday 4 February, the hub will host a party to mark the 21st birthday of the festival with lion dances, community dance performances and live music.
“Like an excitable 21 year old, we’re having a street party and everyone is invited,” Claudia said.
“Martin Place will be transformed and the birthday celebrations will kick-off with massaoke – a fun, mass karaoke experience – and we want everyone to come along, sing at the top of their lungs and help us celebrate!”
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City’s Chinese New Year festivities will stretch across the city and embrace the unique cultures of the countries that observe the lunar calendar.
“Our Lunar New Year program has something for everyone with more than 80 events including art, food, performance, workshops, dragon boat racing and more,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Each has a distinct Sydney style, retaining the strong community involvement that has been a feature of the festival since its inception.”
Sydney’s Chinese New Year festival runs until 12 February. For more details on the program and to plan your festival experience go to sydneychinesenewyear.com
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For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Elaine Kelly on 0477 362 550 or ekelly@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au or Event Publicist Sandy Ellison on 0419 383 807 or sellison@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au