Hundreds gathered to celebrate Chinese new year in Wolfe Tone Park on Dublin’s Jervis Street today.
The Chinese Carnival event, which was organised by Dublin City Council, included a performance of Chinese ribbon and sword dances by the Shanghai University dance troupe; Chinese dragon and lion dances; and Tai chi and martial arts displays.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister for Integration John Curran said the Chinese New Year festival had become an "important and integral" part of the Dublin events calendar. "Each year it grows from strength to strength and it is a wonderful celebration of the contribution that the Chinese community in Ireland has made to our society, economy and culture," Mr Curran said.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello paid tribute to the contribution the Chinese community makes to life in the city. According to the 2006 Census, two thirds of Chinese people resident in Ireland live in Dublin city centre.
"The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival Carnival is a great opportunity for the many Chinese people living in Dublin to showcase their unique and special culture and to celebrate their welcome place in Dublin society," Ms Costello added.
Festival organiser Amy Yin Zhang said it had become an important event for Chinese living in the city. "New Year is the most important festival for over 1 ¼ billion Chinese people all over the world. The Dublin carnival celebrates not just the fact that we are Chinese but also that we live here in Dublin and want to share our culture with other Dubliners," she added.
Today's event is one of the highlights of the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival which runs from 12 to 21st February. Further information can be found at:
http://www.dublin.ie/arts-culture/chinese-new-year-2009.htm