KITES flying in strong southerly winds in Galway over the next few days may not be those of canvassing politicians. The city is due to mark Chinese Year of the Rabbit with its own three-day festival.
Calligraphy, Chen-style t’ai chi and traditional medicine demonstrations are among the activities planned by the Galway Chinese Association for the new year celebration – which began yesterday with kite-making workshops at the Claddagh National School.
World-renowned teacher and t’ai chi practitioner Master Wong Hai Jun will perform at the festival’s launch party in the Galway City Museum tomorrow at 6.15pm, and poet Rita Ann Higgins will read a selection of her Chinese-inspired work, written while staying at the Baptist University, Hong Kong.
Rachel Du, a Chinese classical violinist based in Dublin, will perform a chamber music concert with her trio, also tomorrow, while Chinese artist, calligrapher and flautist Ruijun Hu will play at the Da Tang Noodle House on Galway’s Middle Street tonight, tomorrow and Saturday night.
The Galway Chinese Association has billed most events as free, but any proceeds will be given to Cancer Care West.
See galwaychina.com
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