Bristol’s Chinese New Year celebrations have moved online this year because of lockdown. 

The Lunar New Year, sometimes known as Spring Festival, is the most important festival in east and South East Asia. It is a time for families to be together and is regarded as an official public holiday. 

Bristol China Bureau is among the organisations which plays a key role in Bristol’s Chinese New Year celebrations, with its annual banquet being one of the key diary dates in the city’s cultural and business life.  

However all events are heading online this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Bristol Museum and Art Gallery organising a week-long programme of New Year events beginning this week on Tuesday, 16th February. 

Bristol’s Lunar New Year Festival is being held in association with music artist KALA CHNG, who is an ambassador for the China Bureau, with the programme sponsored by the University of Bristol and University of the West of England. 

Events include a discussion on Wednesday, 17th February, hosted by Stella Wang about the origins of the festival, how it has been celebrated traditionally and how it is now feted worldwide. Born in Beijing, Stella now lives in Bristol and writes about culture and travel.  

There will also be music, dance, talks, craft activities, storytelling, meditation, Chi Kung (comparable to yoga), and a panel discussion on being East Asian and South East Asian in the UK. 

On the day before, the University of Bristol’s Global Lounge is holding a Travel the World special where students will share their Lunar New Year traditions and activities. Meanwhile on 19th February Joy Cheung will be performing a traditional peacock dance from the Dai minority ethnic community in a live Facebook event. 

“Of course it is disappointing not be able to gather together for our annual Chinese New Year celebration but going online does have the benefit of opening up new links with China and more people being able to participate,” says Dianne Francombe OBE, CEO of Bristol China Bureau. 

“We are also proud of our association with the Botanic Gardens and encourage people to view the video of its inception as well as the one of greetings from Mayor Wen in Guangzhou and Mayor Rees in Bristol.”  

Full details on Bristol’s Lunar New Year festival can be found here: Lunar New Year Festival: Year of the Ox | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery (bristolmuseums.org.uk)