Hackney celebrates Lunar New Year 2023
Hackney’s East Asian communities and culture are being celebrated in a special event on Saturday 4 February to mark Lunar New Year 2023.
The event at Hackney Bridge, hosted by Hackney-based East Asian carnival arts organisation Jun Mo Generations, commemorates the year of the rabbit, which began on 22 January.
It will feature performances, a family craft workshop, food and drink, plus a special appearance by the Carnival Earth Dragon, an artwork made by over 470 local artists and residents.
Event programme
1pm - 1.45pm: Performances:
- Carnival Earth Dragon procession led by Jun Mo Generations
- Lion dances by Hackney Chinese Community Services
- Flag rotating by Jun Mo Generations
2pm - 4pm: Drop-in craft workshop, open to all ages
11am - 4pm: Hackney Bridge Kitchen (food stalls)
I am delighted to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the ward I represent with some of Hackney’s East Asian community. I hope residents can join us to learn more about the traditions and meanings behind the day. Hackney has always extended a warm welcome to those from different backgrounds and cultures, and in turn they are the reason the borough is the vibrant, dynamic destination it is today.
As the Earth Dragon was not used at carnival, I am delighted we have found an opportunity for it to be exhibited and paraded at Hackney Bridge for Lunar New Year 2023. All members of Jun Mo Generations are excited to share the work and to manage and coordinate this celebration. The Dragon represents the connection between the environment of Hackney and the River Lea. It celebrates the theme of nature, and everything which protects nature. It is fantastic that everyone who participated in creating and building the dragon, students, teachers, senior residents, residents with disabilities, families and artists, gets to see their work on display.
The Dragon, being showcased for the first time following the cancellation of last year’s Hackney Carnival, will also feature in an exhibition at Hackney Bridge running from 4 to 11 February.
Notes to editors
The Carnival Earth Dragon community engagement programme was generously supported by East Bank and was produced by Deb Mullins and Manuela Benini.
Participants included: members of Hasret Community Arts and Hackney Chinese Community Services, Amwell Court residents, members of Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation, library users from Stamford Hill, Hackney Central Library, Stoke Newington and Dalston, and pupils of Springfield, Millfields, Betty Layward, Gainsborough and Mossbourne primary schools.
Look out for a film featuring the Carnival Earth Dragon and other carnival community engagement projects on www.lovehackney.uk/carnival in the third week of February.