Dragons still top dog in parade to celebrate Chinese New Year: [1 All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 06 Feb 2006: 6.
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Abstract
The Beijing contingent and the Falun Gong had been deliberately kept apart at opposite ends of the march and that there had been no trouble between the two groups. “The parade was about Chinese tradition and Chinese culture and was for all Sydneysiders to enjoy, even though there were various Chinese groups from completely different philosophical backgrounds,” he said.
The Beijing 2008 contingent included an elementary school dance troupe, an art troupe with green frilly umbrellas and pink outfits, and a diabolo troupe performing tricks with large spinning tops.
Full Text
THE Year of the Dog it may be, but nothing upstages the dragon in Sydney’s annual Chinese New Year parade.
A sea of red balloons, yellow flags, bright costumes accompanied by the loud clang of cymbals and lots of dragons marked thebiggest Chinese New Year parade outside China and Hong Kong yesterday.
Fifty thousand spectators turned out to watch more than 500 performers from Beijing, promoting the 2008 Olympics with the Games’ slogan “One World One Dream”, lead the parade of more than 2000 performers from 50 different groups.
But something you won’t be seeing in Beijing — spiritual group Falun Gong — took up the rear.
The group, banned in China, used the parade to spread its message that the Chinese Government has oppressed and terrorised it unmercifully.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore led the parade, arriving in a black Mercedes convertible.
Giant inflatable red and yellow digits representing 2008 danced as gold confetti drifted across George Street.
The Beijing 2008 contingent included an elementary school dance troupe, an art troupe with green frilly umbrellas and pink outfits, and a diabolo troupe performing tricks with large spinning tops.
Organiser Robert Kok said the march, part of 15 days of celebrations to mark Chinese New Year, had gone off without a hitch and with no disturbances.
“It was very colourful,” Mr Kok said. “This cements Sydney as the largest Chinese New Year festival outside of Hong Kong.”
The Beijing contingent and the Falun Gong had been deliberately kept apart at opposite ends of the march and that there had been no trouble between the two groups. “The parade was about Chinese tradition and Chinese culture and was for all Sydneysiders to enjoy, even though there were various Chinese groups from completely different philosophical backgrounds,” he said.
The dog had a loyal and friendly personality and Mr Kok said he expected this Year of the Dog to be calmer than last year, the Year of the Rooster. “The Year of the Dog brings forth good friendship. We wish everyone a year of prosperity and good health and good fortune.”