Gung Hay Fat Choy! - Happy New Year! Chinese New Year celebrations begin on 29 January and there's a big event in the centre of Coventry to mark the start of the Year of the Dog. On Sunday 12 February, you'll be able to get an authentic taste of China in Coventry City Centre’s Lower Precinct. Performance artists are flying in to take part in the event and there will be children's activities running throughout the day.
 | | Chinese New Year in Coventry |
Expect firecrackers, dragon dancing, traditional Chinese dance and song, acrobatics, magic and Chinese food to whet your appetite. You'll also be able to learn all about Chinese culture and see some traditional Chinese arts and crafts. To prepare for the big event, there will be arts workshops taking place at the Coventry & Warwickshire Chinese Community Association, Queens Road, on 16 and 23 January from 10am. For more information or if you want to take part, contact Kate at Arts Exchange on 7655 3533 or Margaret at CWCCA on 7623 0930. A dog's life 2006 is the year of the dog, so if you were born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 - It's your year! Those born in the year of the dog are said to be loyal, honest and eccentric. Dogs are associated with benevolence and good fortune: there is a Chinese proverb that says that if a strange dog follows you home, your house will be blessed with prosperity.
Celebrities born in the year of the dog include; Andre Agassi, Uma Thurman, Madonna, Tim Burton and Prince William Family event Traditional celebrations of Chinese New Year last for 15 days and are the most important time of the year for Chinese families - a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The New Year period begins on the new moon and last until the full moon rises, 15 days later. The 15th day of the New Year is called Lantern Festival. Tthis seems to have originated in ancient times as a ceremony to usher in the increasing light and warmth of the sun after the winter’s cold. | 
