Get a Different Take on Paris With This Colorful Event :
Chinese New Year in Paris has become one of the city's most popular annual events. Paris has a large and thriving French-Chinese community whose cultural influence grows stronger all the time. Parisians of all stripes eagerly crowd the streets of South Paris each year to witness a cheerful procession of dancers and musicians, vibrantly-hued dragons and fish, and elegant flags embossed with Chinese characters. Boisterous Chinese restaurants are packed to the brim with locals and tourists, and the night set may include special theatrical or musical performances or even film festivals. A truly memorable experience.
Chinese New Year 2009 -- The Year of the Ox:
In China, the New Year is the most important annual celebration. Unlike its Western counterpart, which always falls on the same day, Chinese New Year changes every year, following a special calendar. Each year corresponds to a Chinese animal sign and is believed to take on the flavor and "character" of that animal. Astrology is a major part of Chinese culture and is rarely regarded as mere cocktail party chatter as it often is in the West.
2009 is the year of the Ox, an animal associated with the virtues of persistence, hard work, stability, patience and loyalty and foibles including stubbornness.
Chinese New Year Annual Street Parades:
When: Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1, 2009. [pWhere: Saturday's parade starts at 2:00 pm and starts at Hôtel de Ville (Paris City Hall); Metro Hotel de Ville or Rambuteau. Sunday's celebrations begin at 1:30 pm and starts on Avenue Ivry in the 13th arrondissement (metro Tolbiac), winding throigh Avenue de Choisy, Place d'Italie, Rue de Tolbiac and Avenue Masséna before culminating at the starting point.
Highlights: Chinese New Year parades in Paris are famed for their elaborate decorations (red lanterns, grinning dragons, bright orange fish) and for its noisy cheer, which usually includes firecrackers.
Chinese New Year Spectacular:
What: Artists from the Divine Performing Arts troupe take the stage to interpret dramatic Chinese myths and legends.
When: January 27th-March 1st, 2009.
Where:
Paris Palais du Congres
2, Place de la Porte Maillot, 17th arrondissement
Visit the website/Purchase tickets online
