York Theatre Royal Presents...Year of The Dragon!

Happy Lunar New Year from us here at YTR! We wish you, your families and your friends a most magical start to the year.

We’ve spoken to Jasmine Chong, our Development Officer, and she’s given us some fun facts to share for those not so familiar with this occasion. We’re learning more about the Chinese-specific traditions and myths behind the holiday:

“It’s the Year of the Dragon this year – a year that normally sees a rise in birth rates in China, because people generally want their children to be a ‘Dragon,’ which is the beast of the beast.

Wearing the colour red, burning firecrackers/fireworks and Lion/Dragon dance have all stemmed from the same myth. The myth goes that a monster, the 年獸 (literally “The Year Monster”), visits the human world every year and eat their children. Turns out it’s petrified of the colour red and loud noises, so they do all that to scare it away!

The 3rd day of Lunar New Year is called 赤口 and it’s said that you shouldn’t go out to meet family and friends because you’re likely to put your foot in your mouth and offend someone.

The 7th day of Lunar New Year is called 人日, (literally “People Day”), and regarded as everyone’s birthday because in the Chinese version of the creation myth, the female goddess 女媧, created people from mud on the 7th day.

We spend most of our time visiting family and feasting during Lunar New Year, it’s basically our Christmas!”

We’d love for you to welcome in the Year of the Dragon here at your local theatre. We will be hosting a free exhibition of remarkable art and a musical celebration to which all are invited.

Danny Ha and Sandy Chu will be exhibiting their Chinese paintings, calligraphies, fans and pastels throughout the celebrations, from 10th to 24th February in the café, during theatre opening hours.

On February 24th at 4.10pm, a quartet from York East Asian Ensemble will perform a selection of Chinese and Japanese music, alongside a solo performance on the pipa, a classical Chinese instrument. Traditional Red and Gold Lion Dancers will welcome in the New Year, and there will be a chance to try your hand at calligraphy with Danny and Sandy Chu from 3pm to 4.30pm.

All events are non-ticketed and completely free, so you can just turn up! Bring all your loved ones and take this opportunity to celebrate this lovely occasion with those who make your years brighter.

Photo credit: Kirkpatrick Photography

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