Bendigo set for big Chinese New Year celebrations

The Bendigo Chinese Association (BCA) Lion Team, the graceful BCA Plum Blossom Dance Team and the power of kung fu master Liu will all be performing at the free family fun night at Dai Gum San on Saturday, February 5.

The highlight of the evening will be the appearance of the dragon Fei Loong, who only comes out at Lunar New Year. Unusually for a dragon, Fei Loong floats in the air.

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The Chinese Lunar New Year starts on Tuesday, February 1 and announces the arrival of the Year of the Tiger.

The Tiger is the third ranked animal in the Chinese zodiac and is a symbol of strength and braveness with the ability to exorcise evils. Considered the king of animals in China, wearing a tiger image is said to bring good luck, especially if you are a child.

BCA in association with Golden Dragon Museum is hosting Saturday night's festivities with mulitcultural broadcaster SBS the major sponsor for this year's celebrations.

BCA president and Golden Dragon Museum chair Doug Lougoon said it was great to be able to celebrate the Lunar New Year with live performances.

"Last year due to COVID we were limited to online," he said.

"We were able to livestream a few shop blessings from the BCA Lion Team and we pre-recorded the Plum Blossom Dance Team and kung fu master Liu - but this year it's live."

Mr Lougoon said it would be a COVID-safe event with the area fenced off and patrons required to be fully vaccinated.

"We look forward to reacquainting everyone looking to enjoy an evening of free family entertainment with our distinct Chinese culture," Mr Lougoon said.

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Bookings are not required. Noodles, rice, and drinks will be available onsite from 6.30pm as well as ice-creams, souvenirs, and restrooms at the museum.

BCA Lion Team member Shai Watts said he was grateful his team would be able to perform this year.

The team has about about 13 active members but will be recruiting for more after Easter.

The tradition of dressing as a Lion is steeped in Chinese culture where legend tells of a monster that used to terrorise villagers and ruining their crops.

Knowing it was scared of noise and the colour red, the villagers decided to make a replica of the monster and use drums, cymbals and fireworks to scare the evil creature away.

"In China, the Lion is a symbol of prosperity, good luck and fortune and most dragons have a mirror on the their foreheads because it repels evil spirits," Shai said.

With the Tiger considered good at exorcising evil, it is hoped this Chinese New Year will ring in a change of fortune after two years of the COVID-19 pandemiic.

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