Year of the fire horse welcomed with dragon parade

The Chinese community in Peterborough is approaching Lunar New Year with a renewed sense of optimism, embracing the theme of "freedom and success" associated with the Year of the Fire Horse.

The festival begins on Tuesday and marks not only a new 12 months but also a hopeful chapter after challenging periods shaped by the pandemic and social change, local organisers said.

Faustina Yang, founder of the Chinese Community in Peterborough, said the symbolism felt particularly powerful this year and added: "The horse has a free spirit - it runs towards freedom and success.

"After the last few years, we really hope this brings a lift in people's spirits and a positive impact for our community."

Celebrations will start on Monday with a colourful dragon parade in the city's Cathedral Square.

Local Chinese groups, including Tai Chi practitioners and cultural organisations, have spent recent years promoting inclusion across the city, reflecting Peterborough's growing diversity, Yang told the BBC.

"We are trying to build bridges, reduce gaps and help people understand each other," she said.

"We are part of this society - we are here, and we are here to stay."

Visitors will be able to join in the dragon parade, although this year's event has been scaled down due to budget constraints, Yang said.

"It's a simple, joyful activity to bring festival cheer and colour to the city," she added.

"People can come and say hello to the dragon and wish each other Happy Chinese New Year."

Alongside the public festivities, families will mark the occasion with lantern decorations, traditional reunion dinners, sharing symbolic foods such as dumplings and fish for prosperity, and giving red envelopes to younger generations as blessings for the year ahead.

"Chinese New Year is about coming together," Yang said.

"It's about family, unity and looking forward - and this year, we are really looking forward to moving ahead with hope."

The celebrations for the Lunar New Year are expected to continue for 15 days.

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