The lion will rear his head to chase away bad spirits and bring good luck during Lunar New Year celebrations in Nanaimo this weekend.
The Nanaimo Museum, Nanaimo Chinese Cultural Society and Vancouver Island Multicultural Society are hosting a celebration Saturday (Jan. 29) from 1-3 p.m. at the museum.
The Nanaimo Art Gallery is also hosting a blended celebration of Chinese New Year and Robbie Burns Day at 4-7 p.m. Saturday at the Nanaimo Yacht Club.
Mike Mah, president of the Chinese Cultural Society, said Lunar New Year is a cultural rather than religious event and is one of the biggest holidays of the year for the Chinese.
It’s a time for friends and family to gather and make a fresh start for the new year.
“For me, it’s both Thanksgiving and Christmas all together. Families get together and friends visit,” said Mah.
Each lunar year celebrates one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals – this year is the rabbit. People born in the year of the rabbit are believed to be virtuous, financially lucky and have fine taste, Mah said.
The celebration at the museum is by donation and aims to include the many cultures that celebrate the event.
It begins with the lion dance, a traditional dance that is an important part of Chinese tradition. The noise of the dance chases away evil and brings good luck.
Bobbi Williamson, museum program volunteer coordinator, said the dance is a favourite among children.
“They are just in awe of it all,” said Williamson.
The museum has hosted the event for more than 15 years, only missing one year when the facility was moving to its current location within the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
The event is family-oriented with an afternoon of entertainment from various cultures, crafts and activities. It is also an opportunity for people to explore the Discovering Chinatown exhibit.
The celebration hosted by the Nanaimo Art Gallery, Xin Nian Haggis – Gung Haggis Fat Choi, celebrates both Chinese New Year and Robbie Burns Day, which occurred on Tuesday. During the cross-cultural celebration, people can enjoy haggis wontons and neaps and tatties spring rolls.
The event is a fundraiser for the Nanaimo Art Gallery.
Ed Poli, gallery manager, said there will be Chinese and Scottish entertainment, such as the lion dance, Chinese opera, highland dancing and bagpiping.
“It’s fun. It’s the blurring between the two cultures. Where else are you going to get a haggis wonton?” said Poli.
Tickets are $20. Children six to 11 get in for $10 and under six are free. Tickets are available at the Downtown Nanaimo Art Gallery, 150 Commercial St., and McLean’s Specialty Foods, 426 Fitzwilliam St.