Chinese New Year 2019: vibrant celebrations in London mark the Year of the Pig

Bonnie Christian10 February 2019

Huge crowds of people today descended on the streets of London to join its vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations marking the Year of the Pig.

The occasion, characterised by colourful parades and delicious food, is celebrated by millions in China and all over the world.

On Sunday, thousands of people lined the streets of the West End to watch a vibrant parade make its way to Chinatown.

In pictures: Chinese New Year in London 2019

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Last year, 700,000 people descended on Soho to bring in the Lunar New Year.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "Londoners of Chinese origin have been contributing towards our city for decades, contributing economically, socially and culturally.

"They make a massive contribution to our city being the greatest city in the world."

Flying dragons and dancing lions whirled around large handcrafted floats that made their way down Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue.

Lawrence Lee, of the London Chinatown Chinese Association, said the first celebrations in the 1970s centred around a single stage in Chinatown and attracted a few thousand people.

This year crowds braved the wet weather to be entertained by dancers, musicians and performers in traditional dress.

Spectators watch as performers move a traditional Chinese dragon through the crowd as they take part in the Chinese New Year parade through central London.
REUTERS

Chinatown bulged with visitors as restaurants and shops set up stalls selling Chinese cuisine and paper dragons.

The streets constantly crackled to the sound of small snaps that pop when thrown to the ground.

Traditional Chinese dragons moved through the crowd on Sunday and performers took part in the parade involving flamboyant costumes, lion dances and floats.

British children’s cartoon character Peppa Pig even made an appearance.

One Twitter user described it as a “riot of colour”.

Another said: “For sheer colour and noise, it’s hard to beat Chinese New Year celebrations, even on a cold, wet London day.”

Chinese and British dignitaries, including the mayor, gathered on a stage in Trafalgar Square to give speeches, join in a traditional ceremony and watch an acrobatic flying lions performance.

Performers taking part in a parade involving costumes, lion dances and floats, during Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown, London, which marks the Year of the Pig.
PA

Mr Khan said it was "absolutely crucial" that London showed itself to be a "tolerant" city through the event.

"And our open-mindedness and outwards looking approach is not going to change even if we do leave the European Union," he said.

"One of the reasons why I support Chinese New Year celebrations in Trafalgar Square is to make sure those Londoners of Chinese origin feel welcome in our city.

Performers taking part in a parade involving costumes, lion dances and floats, during Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown, London, which marks the Year of the Pig.
PA

"It's an auspicious time of year and we should celebrate the Chinese New Year with our friends, our neighbours and our family of Chinese origin."

The New Year celebrations were organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association (LCCA) with support from the Mayor of London and Westminster City Council

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