Welcoming the Year of the Dragon

Often Chinese culture is diminished into lion dances and circus skills or even down into foil trays of Americanised take-away noodles. I have been to China and witnessed the incredible prowess and skill of Chinese acrobatics: performers seemingly defying gravity and the human bounds of strength. But however phenomenal their artistry, acrobatic talent only scratches at the surface of a country that has built up its cultural heritage over thousands of years.

 

Shaking London out of its usual Sunday morning slumber, dancers pounded the stones of Trafalgar Square, bringing a giant dragon to life in a dance closely associated with New Year. With its shimmering tassels, rattles and scales, the dragon was a symbol of vitality and benevolent power. Traditionally meant to bring good luck, the dragon certainly cheered its thousands of spectators.

 

Acrobatic displays, Chinese drums and daytime fireworks brightened up the grey skies above our city. However, the highlights of the day were the rarer art-forms on display. 

 

The Tea-Picking Dance featured three performers, decked out in the red of the Chinese flag. Tea is synonymous with the country that produces well over 1 million tonnes of tea per year; more remarkable however was the dancers' poise and rhythm which mixed a swan-like elegance with the excitement of school-girls. 

 

Chinese New Year offered a superb opportunity for people to engross themselves in Chinese culture, and not just traditional displays. It can be difficult to see past the novelty of a disco-dancing, silver-jumpsuited woman balancing five trays of glasses on her nose. But these strange acts are similar to those we're used to on Saturday night prime time.

 

In fact, one of the most popular performances of the day came from a rather tubby man singing opera karaoke favourite “O Sole Mio”. Why the cheers? Because he, like his lookalike Paul Potts came from a talent show, an idea that many would consider a Western peculiarity.   

 

It was an eye-opening experience to be able to appreciate Chinese culture on such a lavish scale here in our city. As the fastest growing superpower in the world, it seems bizarre that we see so little of the country's traditions. As many that day said, it came as a reminder that heritage was much more than paper lanterns, egg fried-rice and firecrackers. Welcome the Year of the Dragon!


Want to know what else is on in the capital in Spring? Then take a look at our London360 guide.
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