MULTICULTURAL CITY
Celebrating Chinese New Year ALEX FICE UNCOVERS THE CITY’S LUNAR NEW YEAR TRADITIONS YEAR OF THE RABBIT
Chesterton Community College: “Sunday is an opportunity for the whole family and wider community to get together,” says Wei. “The idea is that people are able to meet each other while getting involved with an activity that interests them. We offer Chinese classes, painting sessions, instrument classes – where people can learn to play the guqín, China’s oldest instrument – as well as traditional Chinese folk dancing lessons and lots more.” The biggest event
run by C4 when he moved to Cambridge in 2000. “Back then you could hardly find any Chinese food in the supermarket, but that’s all changed now!” he muses. For Wei, the main difference between living in China and the UK is the pace of life. “I like the UK a lot – especially Cambridge. The thing I like most is the lifestyle; here, things are peaceful and relaxed, whereas in China life is more intense.” Indeed, this appears to be one of
or many, January can feel like a disappointingly dreary month – especially after the hardcore festivities of December. As soon as the last New Year’s
Eve firework has fizzled out, it seems we resign ourselves to a post-party slump, waiting for the inevitable winter blues to take hold. Not so for the world’s Chinese population, who begin to prepare for the arrival of Chinese New Year, which this year falls on 22 January. Also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year marks the end of winter and beginning of spring, and is considered one of the most important Chinese festivals – lasting 15 days in total. January is therefore a very important month for the Chinese community of Cambridge, which consists of over 4,500 people (according to the 2011 census), including those with Chinese heritage from Malaysia, Singapore and many other countries. Heading up the city’s celebrations is the Cambridge Chinese Community Centre (C4 for short). Since its foundation in 1997, this has been a place for Cambridge’s Chinese residents to meet and take part in a whole host of activities, events and celebrations – including the increasingly popular Dragon Boat Festival, along with the Mid-Autumn Festival and the annual Christmas party. The current chairman, Dr Wei Sun, first started attending badminton classes
the driving factors for those relocating their families from China to the UK. “The main reason people come here is because Cambridge has a lot of job opportunities, especially in the high-tech sector,” says Wei. “But another is that people believe that their children will receive a better
run by the Cambridge Chinese Community Centre is, of course, Chinese New Year. “Before the pandemic, we would hold a big event attracting around 500 people,” says Wei. “We usually have lots of stalls selling food and traditional Chinese items, writing and painting workshops,
An opportunity for the wider community to get together
plus three hours of performances – with a mix of local and Chinese acts, including a traditional dragon dance. “This year, we will celebrate on 22 January at The Netherhall School – and everyone is welcome,” he continues. “We try to have people represented from a range of local groups; it’s a fantastic opportunity to understand Chinese culture and celebrate together – and always a happy time for those involved!”
education here. Chinese schools focus mainly on the academic side of things, whereas in the UK, there’s a balance: children not only learn, but they also do lots of exercise and take part in after-school activities, and that’s quite attractive to Chinese parents.” This multi-disciplinary approach to learning is reflected in the variety of classes and activities on offer by C4 every Sunday from 12 noon to 4.30pm at
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