Colourful celebrations to mark the start of Chinese New Year 2022 will kick off with a roar in the heart of Westside next week.
The traditional lion dance starts in Centenary Square at 8.30am on Tuesday 1 February, before visiting other parts of the city centre and beyond throughout the day.
And Westside BID will give the first 50 people watching the Centenary Square event a free £3 voucher to redeem at the Solomon and Cutler Wetherspoons pub on Broad Street to enjoy a breakfast muffin to celebrate.
Chinese New Year 2022 will see in the Year of the Tiger. The annual celebration, also called Spring Festival, marks the start of a new lunar year, with festivities traditionally lasting up to two weeks including fireworks, gifts, dragon and lion dances.
The coronavirus pandemic meant that no official events could take place in Birmingham last year. But with Birmingham being home to thousands of people from the Chinese community, Westside BID is now thrilled to welcome back traditional new year celebrations to the city.
The event is organised by James Wong, chair of Birmingham’s Chinese Festival Committee and managing director of the city’s famous Chung Ying Restaurants.
Mr Wong has worked for the family business for over 20 years, working his way up to managing director. He gives up much of his and the company’s time and resources to maintain links with the elderly Chinese community.
Mr Wong said: “I made it my mission a few years ago to spread these celebrations across the city, and I’m pleased to say I’ve done it! The idea is to preserve Chinese heritage and to spread cheer, luck and prosperity in the city.”
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “Birmingham is a wonderful and incredibly diverse city to be a part of and we are thrilled to commence these celebrations on Westside on the 1 February.”
