2019 is the Year of the Pig in China and what better way to celebrate than to join the festivities celebrating the new year in the North West.
From February 7th to the 10th, several locations in the centre Manchester will be celebrating with food, fortune, fireworks and fun alongside a whole host of free activities for all the family to enjoy.
Renowned UK artist Alex Rinsler, 36, Manchester has created a giant art piece Piglet that will take centre stage in St Ann’s Square.
It will have a coat made from thousands of pennies which will bring good luck to those who see it.
A large sculpture by Alex is in the middle of Shanghai, China and he feels he has a connection with the Chinese community because of the work he does.
Alex said: “I was honoured to be approached to make an object to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Manchester.
“I wanted to make something that would honour our common traditions. In China the Pig represents prosperity while in the UK we have the saying ‘see a penny, pick it up, all the year have good luck.”
Alex had help from Circle Steele and the Wai Yin Society to help complete the Pig and it will no doubt receive lots of attention during the festival.
Alex added: “I am pleased that all the piggy banks and proceeds of the coat on the Pig will contribute to help Manchester’s most vulnerable residents.”
Visitors who join in the fun and see the Piglet will be able to donate money in the piggy banks which will go to The Big Change, and the Wai Yin Society, which works with Manchester’s most vulnerable residents.
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade on Sunday 10th February will feature a 175-foot Dragon weaving its way from the Town Hall to China Town.
Revellers can enjoy the lion dancing, Chinese dancers, funfair and traditional Chinese food stalls.
As a finale to the event do not miss the wonderful fireworks display from 7pm.
Hanging lanterns are already starting to appear in Albert Square and by the time of the event there will be an array of beautiful Chinese colours along the streets of the city.
New Year is a very special time in China as it brings families and friends together and creates luck for the future. It is fantastic that cities such as Manchester and Liverpool celebrate the new year and get to enjoy Chinese festivities and traditions.
