WORCESTER’S Royal Porcelain Works played host to the city’s Chinese New Year Celebrations in the largest community event of its kind in 25 years.
Visitors of all ages came from across the county and beyond to encounter a flavour of Chinese culture.
They enjoyed a whole host of hands-on activities ranging from calligraphy, bubble painting, poetry and a traditional gongfu tea ceremony to ‘keepy-uppy’, a Chinese shuttlecock game and getting friendly with PomPom the giant panda.
Everyone was delighted by the traditional lion dance performed by Kui de Tang, a Kung Fu school, led by James Rodriguez.
“This has just been an absolutely lovely day,” said Hannah Cooper, who lives locally. We went home briefly for lunch but came back!” Another delighted mum said: “We are so keen for our children to be more globally aware, and this has been such a wonderful event for that.”
Two venues provide the combined space for the event; musical entertainment performed by local Chinese children and a Shi Ba Shi Tai Ji demonstration given by Catherine Hyde from the University of Worcester, all took place in the Henry Sandon Hall whilst arts and craft activities were on offer in the Museum of Royal Worcester.
Hundreds of people flocked inside from the moment the doors opened and many enjoyed the delights of the museum’s porcelain collection – and its original inspiration from China – for the first time.
Sophie Heath, director of the Museum of Royal Worcester, said: “It was wonderful to have so many people discover the links between Worcester and China, I was so happy to see so many visitors here today.”
Students learning mandarin at Christopher Whitehead Language College in Worcester were involved in delivering some of the activities and enjoyed running a chopsticks challenge game and teaching visitors how to make origami rabbits.
Frankie Tsang, chairman of the Worcestershire Chinese Association, said: “This event is about sharing Chinese culture with our community and celebrating our diversity.
“I am so pleased so many hundreds of people were able to enjoy it.”
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit which is the fourth animal in the Chinese 12-year zodiac cycle.
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are claimed to be entrepreneurs, kind and peaceful.
Other VIPs who attended included Andrew Manning-Cox, High Sheriff of Worcestershire and Lord Faulkner of Worcester.
