Party in Antwerp’s Chinatown: dancing lions herald the year of the Rabbit (Antwerp)
Each in turn, so the Chinese community celebrated New Year about three weeks after most other Antwerp residents. It is the year of the rabbit and it was ushered in with fireworks, awakened lions and imposing dragons.
Patrick Van de Perre
It was Sunday afternoon running over the heads in the Van Wesenbekestraat, the De Coninckplein and the streets around it. “We also see the number of people coming to Chinatown grow every year. In the past, it was mainly people from their own community who celebrated New Year’s Eve, now they come from all over the country,” says Joe Choi.
Like Wendy Kegels, he is one of the organizers of the event. The young woman nods affirmatively. “We have already met someone who has come to Antwerp especially from the Belgian coast to attend the festivities. Besides the Chinese, there are also more and more other people who think this is worth coming to see.”
The Chinese year 4720 started on January 22. This is all about the rabbit, the fourth animal in the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. “You would think people would die until this zodiac aligns with a prosperous year ahead. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. Sometimes people have met a different sign with a better prospect,” says Wendy Kegels.
Expo lasts another week
On the De Coninckplein the lions were awakened in honor of the new year. That is done by the animals, well, in different places to hit. They can use all their senses on their ears, eyes and skin.
Good to know for insiders, the general public mainly came to the station area for the atmosphere. And there was. Fireworks were lavishly and responsibly sprinkled and the dancing lions walked through the streets at various times.
On the De Coninckplein itself there were all kinds of demonstrations and stalls with Chinese snacks. Anyone who missed the Chinese New Year can visit the Permeke library until January 28 for an exhibition.
The Legends of Liondance exhibition gives visitors a better idea of Chinese history and traditions. Among other things, you can get to know the Chinese language and culture, but you can also view the material of the Antwerp lion dancers of the Choi Lee Fat kung fu school.