Liverpool is to host an extra special Chinese New Year party this weekend to celebrate the 10th anniversary of twinning with Shanghai.
The twinning celebration, which comes less than three months before Liverpool heads to the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, will be a traditional blessing ceremony to mark the 10th birthday of the largest Chinese Arch in any Chinatown outside of mainland China - at 12 noon today (20 February).
Tomorrow, (Sunday) Liverpool’s Chinatown area, which will be dressed in red with Chinese style flags and special lighting, welcomes in the Year of the Tiger with the spectacular fire cracker display at 1.00 pm at Great George Square (at the end of Nelson Street) a highlight.
People born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be natural born leaders and they symbolise power, passion and daring. Famous Tigers include: Qin Shi Huang (The first Emperor of China), the Prophet Muhammad (Prophet of Islam), Queen Elizabeth II, Sir David Attenborough, Sir Richard Branson and Tom Cruise.
The Chinese New Year celebrations will run from 12noon to 4pm and includes the much loved lion, dragon and unicorn dances, Tai Chi demonstrations and a Chinese New Year market (Great George Street).
A whole host of other eye-catching events will be displayed along Nelson Street, Berry Street and Duke Street area, including live music and a fun fair while educational activities will be held at The Blackie. (Liverpool’s Chinese New Year programme can be downloaded at www.lcba.net)
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "Liverpool’s Chinese New Year party is one of the most vibrant events in our cultural calendar and the 10th anniversary of our twinning with Shanghai is cause for extra celebration.
"Our Chinese Arch is a potent symbol of our good relations with both our Chinese community and Shanghai and the next six months will see the city forge even closer bonds through the World Expo.
"The Year of the Tiger focuses on hard work and I’m sure Liverpool will reap the rewards from what the city is doing in Shanghai this year."
St. Luke’s Church, on Berry Street, will also be rejoicing in the celebrations, with Urban Strawberry Lunch inviting the public to decorate the war damaged building.
In the evening, the VIP and Chinese Variety Show will be hosted at Britannia Adelphi Hotel. This year’s theme is ‘East meets West’ with an amazing line up of cultural and artist entertainments including: the Pagoda Chinese Youth Orchestra and traditional and contemporary artists from Wah Sing Chinese Community Centre.
ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE
Liverpool's Chinese New Year Celebrations – in effect from 7 am to 6pm on Sunday, 21 February:
• Great George Street (from its junction with St. James Street to its junction with Duke Street)
• Duke Street (from its junction with Great George Street to its junction with Kent Street)
• Upper Duke Street (from its junction with Great George Street to its junction with Rodney Street)
• Berry Street (from its junction with Bold Street to its junction with Duke Street)
• Nelson Street (from its junction with Great George Street to its junction with Upper Pitt Street)
• Grenville Street South (from its junction with Bailey Street to its junction with Cornwalis Street)
• Wood Street (from its junction with Colquitt Street to its junction with Berry Street)
• Seel Street (from its junction with Slater Street to its junction with Berry Street)
• Knight Street (from its junction with Berry Street to its junction with Rodney Street)
• Roscoe Street (from its junction with Leece Street to its junction with Upper Duke Street)
• Sankey Street / Griffiths Street / Bold Place / Back Berry Street / Roscoe Lane / Back Knight Street / Cookson Street / Raffles Street
• Colquitt Street (from its junction with Parr Street to its junction with Seel Street)
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