Music and dances mark Lunar New Year across city

A weekend of festivities has taken place in Leicester to mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year - the Year of the Fire Horse.

On Saturday, artists and dancers performed at the Highcross shopping centre, along with demonstrations of martial arts such as tai chi and workshops for the public to try arts and crafts.

On Sunday, a lion dance was due to be performed outside De Montfort University, followed by a procession through the city centre, followed by performances, fireworks and a fire sculpture in Town Hall Square.

The Lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, and while often associated with China, is celebrated in several Southeast Asian countries and beyond.

Performances in Leicester included Bian Lian, a 300-year-old art form where professional face changers use lightning-fast secret techniques to switch brightly coloured layered silk masks.

Visitors to Highcross also saw traditional dances including fan and ribbon dances, as well as live music from traditional Yue opera singers and pipa string-instrument performers.

Sunday's procession through the city centre, starting at Jubilee Square, will feature lion dancers, dragons, giant puppets, Buddhas and symbolic figures from Chinese traditions.

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