Melbourne celebrates Chinese New Year in grand style

The Dragon Dance in Chinatown has everyone whipping out their smartphones and cameras to capture the festivities. [Photo/Australiaplus.com]

 

Photographic portrait of Chinese New Year in Sydney

First Chinese New Year as Australians

The first weekend of the Year of the Horse has kicked off in Melbourne's Chinatown, grabbing the city's attention with firecrackers, dragon dances and stalls packed with tasty treats.

Melbourne, considered the cultural capital of Australia, is never short of cultural events, and this past weekend was no exception. Whilst the Japanese Summer Festival and the Golden Koala Film Festival were on offer, it was the Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown that captured the lion's share of attention.

The 2014 Chinese New Year celebrations began at midday on Sunday in Chinatown with the annual Dragon and Lion dance parade. There were rows of stalls filled with Chinese food and merchandise, and entertainers delivering traditional performances on the streets of Russell and Little Bourke.

The Premier of Victoria, Denis Napthine, and the Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, were at the festivities to wish everybody a Happy Year of the Horse.

According to its organisers, the Chinatown event is just one part of the Chinese New Year celebration taking place in Melbourne this year, and there will be plenty of outdoor events, concerts and markets taking place this week.