Sun Leen Fai Lok

新 年 快 樂

Which, I have on good authority, means Happy New Year in Chinese!

As the Year of The Monkey approaches, Perth’s Chinese Community gets set to celebrate one of their largest festivals of the year and with our third generation of Chinese-Scottish friends now steering the Lion, they have thrown open the invitation and called on everyone to join them in a street party! WHOOP!

This Saturday 6th February at Perth Farmer's Market in King Edward Street, led by the Chinese Lion at 12 noon, locals and visitors of all origins and cultures can enjoy the good luck wishes, ward off the evil spirits and learn all there is to know about celebrating Chinese New Year.  It’s safe to say, that with some of the small city’s Biggest Personalities (you know who you are!) as part of the fun, its sure to be a day of much dancing, singing and partying.

I caught up with Andy Chan, who is the Chairman of The Perthshire Chinese Community Association and asked him all about this event, which is now in its second year.

“I think that in Perth the Chinese Community is a part of all of our lives; I was born here, my brothers, sisters, cousins and most other Chinese-Scots my age all consider themselves to be equal parts of both cultures. We really have grown up with the best of both worlds!

Chinese New Year is such an amazing celebration, and so special to us that we want to share it with our friends and neighbours and show them all why we love it so much. This has turned into a true multi-cultural Chinese New Year event and I'm delighted its found its place on the Perth Events Calendar.”

As well as the Chinese Lion, there is also a Dragon by Raymond Man from the Kung Fu Association of Glasgow and loads of free things to do for the kids such as calligraphy, making Chinese lanterns, facepainting and lessons in how to use chopsticks. (Must call by that stall myself… I’m fine with prawns, useless with rice!).  

Finally make sure you’re around to pick a fortune cookie – why not post your message to our facebook page and we’ll share it on?

I ask Andy what his plans are over the official Chinese New Year on Monday 8th February and I’m delighted to report it involves a LOT of eating!

“We’ll all spend a day spring cleaning, to sweep out any bad luck, and then come the big event its lots of family and lots of food. Everyone comes together, we give out red envelopes of laisee (lucky money – I like it!) to the kids and generally enjoy ourselves. The Chinese New Year Cake always comes out but apart from that the tradition is really just eat as much as you can.”

People born in the year of the monkey are considered to be of great intellect and extremely skillful. They are usually good leaders, quick and intelligent as they are, and will win awards and prizes frequently.  They are usually found to be in good physical condition both during childhood and into middle age! As they are good at saving money, they usually live lives without financial. Great news for everyone having babies this year!

The only left to do is wish all of our Chinese friends Good Fortune for the year ahead.

Kung Hei Fat Choy! 恭喜發財

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The Chinese Community would like to thank Perth and Kinross Council, Perth College UHI and PKAVS for helping to make this a truly multi-cultural event. If you are joining in the celebrations please do tag your pics #PerthLoveFest and we’ll share them to our page!