Every year, people come together to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. Usually it focuses around the Chinese culture; however anyone is free to join as they please. This year it is the year of snake, and the new year began on the 10th of February, which was just a few weeks ago.
Usually on the Chinese new year, my family decide to go up to London and visit Chinatown due to the fact that Chinatown holds big celebrations for the new year, from special foods which are available just for the occasion of the new year. There is also the traditional dragon dance which was performed. Unfortunately I couldn't go this year due to the ridiculous English weather and its rain.
On the other hand, my friend still managed to go even though it rained; she said that she felt sorry for the dancers as they were soaked from head to toe in water from the terrible English weather. Those who have experienced watching the dragon dance you would find that it’s quite entertaining and very different from modern dances that we see today. A large drum is usually played as the dragon dance follows the beat of the drum.
As well as the dragon dance, Chinese New Year offers a range of food to try, from cakes and confectioneries to traditional dishes for you to enjoy. But as well as food, most people look forward to the red envelopes which are given on the New Year, why may you ask? Well these envelopes allow you to gain some extra money. This money is to symbolize luck, so relatives and friends pass around envelopes to others to give them luck for the New Year. The more envelopes you gain the more luck you should have for the New Year (plus you get more money if you have more envelopes!).
