by Graham Thompson, Website Editor, 23 January 2012
The Year of the Dragon arrived noisily and dramatically in Edinburgh on 22 January, with a sold out gala event hosted by the Edinburgh Chinese Culture Association at the Churchill Theatre.
Many local Chinese organisation and several of the city's schools put on an excellent performance of dance, music, songs and martial arts to an appreciative audience from both the Scottish and Chinese communities. Before the event, cultural activities including tea culture, Chinese knotting, and other crafts were introduced to visitors.
Guests of honour included Consul-General Mr Li Rui You, who made a powerful speech noting the "great progress made in the last year" in Scotland/China relations. Lord Provost George Grubb also attended and greeted his audience with both "Gong Hey Fat Choy" and "Lang may your lum reek" (which may have given the hardworking translator a challenge !). A Chinese New Year message from the First Minister was read out, in which Alex Salmond said the dragon was "not a symbol to be feared, but instead one of good luck".
The event was also supported by the Edinburgh Chinese Association of Professionals ; the Edinburgh Chinese Scholars and Students Association ; the Edinburgh and District Chinese Association ; the Edinburgh Chinese Elderly Support Association ; the Confucius Institute at the University of Edinburgh ; and the Scotland China Education Network. Performers included the Edinburgh Chinese Community School ; Alba Cathay Chinese School ; Soen Ren School of Martial Arts ; George Watson's College ; Vale of Beath Primary School ; Fettes College and many others.
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