London Chinatown New Year 1999
Report of the Chinese New Year Celebrations in London's Chinatown in 1999

A cold February day didn't deter the crowds from London's Chinatown for the celebrations of the Chinese New Year held on Sunday 21st.

	Red lanterns adorned the streets, couplets hung in doorways, the air was thick with the smell of Chinese foods from the many street stalls and all around the clashes of cymbals and banging of drums accompanied dragon dances. This was at once a very Chinese festival, while at the same time, there was an incredible cosmopolitan feel as all sections of London's dynamic community, both young and old, had converged to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit.
"This is really great, I have never seen such a celebration in my own country", said Maria DeQuella from Spain.
While the many restaurants of Chinatown were, as ever, over subscribed, the street vendors offered everything from fast food to Chinese calligraphy and horoscopes. Paper dragons continued to be a firm favourite with children of all ages!		Paper dragons continued to be a firm favourite with children of all ages!
It's a testimony to the size and popularity of the Chinese New Year celebrations in London that the stage, once at home in Newport Court, is now erected in Leicester Square. A varied programme of performances entertained sizeable crowds - Chinese music, opera, dance, martial arts demonstrations and a rare display, even in London's Chinatown, of the art of the Northern Lion Dance.
		This was a day of great fun, and excitement, and probably the largest celebrations that Chinatown has seen - fantastic!