Chinese community celebrate New Year in Lisburn
| Lisburn Deputy Mayor Edwin
Poots pictured with members Lisburn Chinese Ladies Group at
the Chinese New Year Celebrations at Lisburn YMCA. US0509- 118A0 Picture By: Aidan O'Reilly |
LISBURN'S Chinese community have marked the start of their Chinese New Year celebrations in the city.
It is the most popular celebration on the Chinese calendar and the Lisburn Chinese Ladies' Group made sure it was celebrated in style.
The group which is funded by Awards for All' invited along members and representatives from the local community who have shown their support, to a special lunch at the YMCA in Market Street.
Treated
Guests
were treated to a Chinese buffet which included mouth watering noodles
and a selection of oriental desserts followed by a traditional Chinese
dancing display and lion parade. A Chinese writing demonstration was
also in place, with Lisburn's very own Deputy Mayor, Edwin Poots giving
it a go.
Chairperson Tracy Chan thanked all those who came along and gave a special mention to 'Awards for All' who sponsored the celebration.
She commented: "The group is seeking to strike a balance between the two worlds by introducing Lisburn people to Chinese traditions, while at the same time keeping those traditions alive among young Chinese people here.
"We want to help integrate our members with the wider community as well as preserve our own culture and traditions.
"So successfully have many second-generation Chinese young people assimilated that there is now a danger of their native language and culture being forgotten.
Commended
"But
the idea of this group is that Chinese people living in Lisburn can meet
more often. Our numbers are such now that we have formed an association
specifically for this area to give us a chance to form our own sense of
identity — but also to help the wider community understand our culture."
Mr Poots commended the Chinese group for it's work in helping to integrate its members with the wider community as well as preserve its own culture and traditions.
He said: "Not only do I enjoy Chinese cuisine but I admire the work ethos of the Chinese community who endeavour to do something for the local community."
Ulster Star
30/01/2009
