Members of the Perth Chinese Association and the region’s Chinese community gathered in Perth for toned-down Chinese New Year celebrations last week.
The small crowd got together on Glengarry Road on Thursday to exchange gifts and bring in the Year of the Tiger after the planned public celebrations were cancelled.
Perth and Kinross Provost Dennis Melloy and Councillor Peter Barrett also attended the event on behalf of the council.
Also known as the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar, which is why the date changes from year to year.
Typically the Chinese New Year festival period lasts for 15 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival.
In 2022, it is from February 1-15 and is the most significant and most celebrated festival in the Chinese calendar.
In October 2021 preparations got under way for the Perth and Kinross Chinese New Year celebrations, with hopes of attracting around 5000 people to a two-day event on January 29 and January 30, 2022.
A civic reception was planned along with a fireworks display and a procession of Chinese lion and dragon dancers in Perth city centre.
But sadly one of the biggest public Chinese New Year celebrations in Scotland saw the physical public celebrations replaced with virtual events instead, due to pandemic precautions.
A series of online events will be hosted by consul general of the People’s Republic of China in Edinburgh – Mr Ma Qiang, with Perth Bridge and St Paul’s also to be lit up in yellow and red as tribute.
Most community members will spend time with family, friends and loved ones over the festivities, but Perth Chinese Association chairman Andy Chan told the PA the cancellation will give the events team another year to plan “an even bigger and better celebration” for 2023.
He said: “We leave the Year of the Ox and move into the Year of the Tiger, which symbolises strength, exorcising evils and braveness - which is hopeful news as we will come out of this pandemic together a stronger and more cohesive community.
“Perth Chinese Association and the Confederation of Chinese Associations in Scotland are very proud of the work we do in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council.
“By working together with Perth and Kinross Council, we achieve our vision and produce positive outcomes for our people and communities here within Perth and Kinross.
“Over the years there have been many excellent examples where Perth and Kinross Council, consulate of the People’s Republic of China and Perth Chinese Association have worked together to celebrate Chinese culture and support and develop the Chinese community in Perth and Kinross, including the Moon Cake Festival.
“Monthly lunch clubs with invaluable information and talks including outdoor walking groups, The International Youth Band Festival, The Perth City Salute, Educational and Business Exchanges between China and Scotland, and many more [have been held].”
Andy believes that in Perth the Chinese community has become an important part of the local culture.
“I was born here; my brothers, sisters, cousins and most other Chinese-Scots my age all consider themselves to be equal parts of both cultures,” he said.
“We really have grown up with the best of both worlds.
“As a boy growing up in Perth in a Chinese family, I remember Chinese New Year as a magical time where Chinese family and friends came together to celebrate at organised private events.
“Through the years, because of the efforts of Perth Chinese Association and Perth and Kinross Council, I have been delighted to see the Chinese New Year celebrations in Perth grow and grow to be an event where all the diverse communities of our area can share in the joy and appreciate the Chinese culture and celebrations.
“We now have the biggest and most attended public Chinese New Year event in Scotland which is attended by people from all over the UK.
“Our popular event incorporates part of the Winter Festival Programme - Riverside Lights Nights at Norie-Miller Walk on the beautiful banks of the River Tay.
“Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we are not able to celebrate in the same way and there are online concerts and events organised by the consul general of the Peoples Republic of China in Edinburgh, Mr Ma Qiang
“And to mark the occasion, the Perth Smeaton Bridge and St Pauls will be lit up in yellow and red.
“However, this does give the events team and myself another year to plan an even bigger and better celebration.
“I will conclude by saying may the Year of the Tiger bring you joy, health and prosperity.”
