Cny 2021 Program
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GONG XI FA CAI Good Fortune & Prosperity to All THIS IS A COVID SAFE EVENT 2021 CAIRNS CHINESE NEW YEAR OX OFFICIAL PROGRAM 5-27th February 2021 www.cadcai.org.au Lions and Dragons the sights and sounds of Chinese New Year SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 6 MARCH 2020 CAIRNS MUSEUM CNR LAKE AND SHEILDS ST, CAIRNS Lions and Dragons Welcome the sights and sounds of Chinese New Year A Message from the President of Cairns & District Chinese Association Inc On behalf of our Chinese Community in FNQ ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’, we welcome you to join us in the 2021 Cairns Chinese New Year Festival’s “Year of the OX”. 145 years ago, Chinese immigrants began to settle in Cairns, due to the decline of the Palmer River gold rush. Through two world wars, and a great depression, the local Chinese community has linked arms with all others to face every challenge head on. Through man-made hardship, to the astonishing natural disasters we face year to year, the multicultural community of Cairns has overcome all. We now face yet another worldwide challenge, this time, the COVID 19 pandemic. Again, the Cairns Chinese community has linked arms with the wider community and banded together to get through these difficult times which affect us all. As each year passes, the Cairns Chinese Community has not only continued to grow in numbers, we also continue our legacy of sharing our rich history, full of culture, age old traditions and delicious mouth-watering food with the locals and broader community. The Lunar New Year Festival has a history of over 3,000 years with celebrations dated back to the ancient worship of heaven and earth. Over the centuries new traditions were added and celebrations became more entertainment orientated. It is a time of great joy, excitement, goodwill and most importantly, quality time spent with family. According to an old folklore Chinese legend, there was a monster named Nian (年). It would come every New Year’s Eve. Most people would hide in their homes. But one boy was brave enough to fight him off using firecrackers. The next day, people celebrated their survival by setting off even more firecrackers, thus starting a practice that has become a crucial part of the Festival. With 2020 “Year of the Rat” coming to an end, let’s all join together and also fight off COVID-19 just like that brave boy did. As the OX is considered an animal of strength that denotes hard work, positivity and honesty that will need to be manifested in all of us in the coming 12 months. The ancient Chinese art of feng shui, which harmonizes people with their environment using energy forces, also regards the animal as auspicious, which has given the OX a reputation for granting wishes. So we wish 2021 to bring us health and longevity, plentiful harvests, wealth and fortune and for the world to return to normality from COVID-19. We will celebrate 134 years since the opening of the Cairns Lit Sung Goong Temple during the Chinese New Year celebrations in January 1887. The temple was situated on the current Grafton Street, which is historically, Sach’s Street, the location of a vibrant Chinatown from the 1880s until the mid-1940s. A place my own maternal grandparents resided for a time in the late 1930’s. In Cairns our Chinese New Year celebrations include our wonderful multicultural heritage combined with a range of events for people of all ages which is an opportunity for all to celebrate this age-old culture. Thank you to our passionate Committee, a tireless team of volunteers and who with tremendous support from government, local council and businesses will bring to life the whole of Cairns during this important festival period. So please immerse yourself in the delightful melding of heritage, culture and hospitality from 5th February to SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 6 MARCH 2020 27th February 2021 as highlighted in our program. CAIRNS MUSEUM Melanie Kingsley CNR LAKE AND SHEILDS ST, CAIRNS President CADCAI Nian Gao年糕 (nián gāo) Nian gao, also known as “New Year cake”, are a must for Chinese New Year. The Chinese word 粘 (nián), meaning “sticky”, is identical in sound to 年, meaning “year”, and the word 糕 (gāo), meaning “cake” is identical in sound to 高, meaning “high or tall”. Eating nian gao has the symbolism of aspiring to be “higher” and more successful in each coming year (年年高升 niánnián gāoshēng). The traditional nian gao is round with an auspicious decoration such as the character for prosperity (福) on its top. This sticky sweet snack is used as an offering to the Kitchen God, with the aim that his mouth will be stuck with the sticky cake, so that he can only say sweet things about his host family on earth when he makes his annual report to the Jade Emperor. While it is soft when hot, Nian gao can be chewy when cooled down and is often dipped in beaten eggs, pan-fried and eaten warm. Cecil’s PAN’S ASIAN GROCERIES Rice & Spice Specialising in Authentic Sri Lankan food Shop 2, 57-59 Grafton Street, Cairns, 4870 Phone: 0407 405 817 Email: [email protected] Vivian Pan Quality Meets Trust 07 4033 2058 Contact us on 0430 098 888 or 463 Mulgrave Road, email [email protected] Earlville, Qld 4870 for more information now! Message from Cairns Mayor Bob Manning It is my great pleasure to join with you to celebrate the Year of the Ox. In Chinese culture, people born under the sign of the Ox are known for their diligence, dependability, strength and determination. Traditionally, the Cairns community embraces the spirit of the Chinese New Year with vibrant and colourful celebrations, however this year’s celebrations will be a little different due to COVID-19 restrictions. Throughout this pandemic, we have seen organisations adapt to the challenges ahead of them, and I congratulate the Cairns & District Chinese Association Inc for their perseverance in adapting to the crisis with an innovative program. This program will see a combination of live performances, displays and local and international online content, which will all help to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Our city has a long and valued cultural and commercial relationship with China, one forged more than a century ago in the early economic growth of our region. While Chinese New Year celebrations may be different this year, it still remains an opportunity to share in the rich culture, at this very special time and throughout the year ahead. May the Year of the Ox be one of happiness, health and prosperity for all. Cr. Bob Manning Mayor of Cairns FIND OUT ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAIRNS CHINESE NEW YEAR 2021 AT THE PIER Visit the CADCAI store located at the Pier for information on the Festival and learn about the customs and traditions of Chinese New Year! Open 10am to 2pm, Mon-Sun from 6-26th February Wishing everyone a very Happy and Prosperous 2021 Year of the Ox! ESE HIN NE C W S N 2021 Y R E I A A R C 2021 YEAR OF THE OX Year of the Ox Taking second place on the Chinese zodiac calendar, the Ox is the symbol of diligence in Chinese culture. Those born in the year of the Ox attach importance to family and work and are often hard-working, diligent, dependable, honest, ambitious, patient and determined. On the negative side, Ox people can be stubborn, narrow-minded, indifferent, prejudiced, slow and not good at communication. Like the patient Ox which spends considerable time chewing its food, people born in the Ox year like to think hard and ponder repeatedly for a long time before taking actions. Once they have taken on a task, they will carry it off industriously and courageously until the job is done. Characteristics and Ox Year When Type of Ox Personality Traits Honest, hardworking, Feb 12, 2021 – Jan 31, 2022 2021 Metal Ox opinionated, trusting Stable, laid-back, Jan 26, 2009 – Feb 13, 2010 2009 Earth Ox hard worker Kind-hearted, sociable, Feb 7, 1997 – Jan 27, 1998 1997 Fire Ox energetic Conservative, passionate, Feb 19, 1985 – Feb 8, 1986 1985 Wood Ox assertive Peaceful, good listener, Feb 3, 1973 – Jan 22, 1974 1973 Water Ox good lover Honest, hardworking, Feb 15, 1961 – Feb 4, 1962 1961 Metal Ox opinionated, trusting Stable, laid-back, Jan 29, 1949 – Feb 16, 1950 1949 Earth Ox hard worker Kind-hearted, sociable, Feb 11, 1937 – Jan 31, 1938 1937 Fire Ox energetic Conservative, passionate, Jan 24, 1925 – Feb 12, 1926 1925 Wood Ox assertive Discover Your Animal Year 2020 2008 1996 1984 1972 1960 1948 1936 1924 2021 2009 1997 1985 1973 1961 1949 1937 1925 2022 2010 1998 1986 1974 1962 1950 1938 1926 2023 2011 1999 1987 1975 1963 1951 1939 1927 2024 2012 2000 1988 1976 1964 1952 1940 1928 2025 2013 2001 1989 1977 1965 1953 1941 1929 2026 2014 2002 1990 1978 1966 1954 1942 1930 2027 2015 2003 1991 1979 1967 1955 1943 1931 2028 2016 2004 1992 1980 1968 1956 1944 1932 2029 2017 2005 1993 1981 1969 1957 1945 1933 2030 2018 2006 1994 1982 1970 1958 1946 1934 2031 2019 2007 1995 1983 1971 1959 1947 1935 Program of Events 5th Feb 12th Feb CNY OFFICIAL LAUNCH AT THE PIER YEAR OF THE OX CHINESE NEW Date: Friday 5 February YEAR DAY FIREWORKS Location: The Pier Shopping Centre, Cairns. Date: Friday 12 February Location: Cairns Esplanade Eastern Events Lawn 5-25th Feb Time: 5:30-7:30pm performances by CNY PHOTO COMPETITION Danny Xiao Tai Chi, CADCAI dragon and AT THE PIER lions; 7:30pm CNY Fireworks Join us in welcoming the Year of the Ox Date: Friday 5-25 February with performances by the CADCAI Dragon Location: The Pier Shopping Centre, Cairns and lion teams with fireworks at the Cairns Activity: Take a photo of yourself at the Esplanade! CNY Pavilion for a chance to win a prize.