Chinese New Year has been celebrated by communities in China and Chinese communities all round the world for many centuries and is the biggest celebration of the Chinese year.
Preparations begin some weeks in advance, with presents bought for friends and family, houses cleaned from top to bottom to sweep away bad luck, and decorations hung up in the home.
The main celebrations begin on New Year's Eve when families come together, dressed in red, which is the symbol of good luck, for a feast of many dishes. Traditionally seafood, dumplings and seaweed are eaten, with each dish representing good luck, good fortune and long life. Following the meal fireworks are lit to welcome in the New Year at midnight, when the old year is chased away.
The tradition of Hong Bao is followed on New Year's Day, when red packets of money are given to children and unmarried adults, and people take to the streets to greet their neighbours. The end of the celebrations is marked by the Festival of Lanterns, and the singing and dancing and street festivities which take place in Chinese communities all over the world.
The year 2008 will be the Year of the Rat, and will be celebrated between 7 th February (New Year) until 21 st February (Festival of Lanterns).
The Chinese community in Manchester will be celebrating in the traditional way in Chinatown , an area of the city where the greatest population of Chinese live and work, with lantern shows, dragon dances, outdoor bazaars and spectacular firework displays.
NCC Education wish everyone in our global community a very Happy and Healthy Year of the Rat!
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