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 2012 -- The Year of the Water Dragon:
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.
2012 is the year of the Dragon, China's most venerated mythical creature. The water Dragon is associated with the virtues of idealism, energy and determination, and foibles including narcissistic tendencies, hotheadedness and stubbornness.
Chinese New Year in Paris: Street Parades in 2012:
Main Parade in Paris: Sunday, January 29th.
Where: The first major parade is scheduled to kick off at 1:30 pm and starts at or around 44, Avenue d'Ivry in the 13th arrondissement (metro Tolbiac). The second parade falls on the same day and will be held in the Belleville neighborhood, beginning at 1pm at Place Frehel (Metro Pyrenees or Belleville).
Parade Highlights: Chinese New Year parades in Paris are famed for their elaborate decorations (red lanterns, grinning dragons and tigers, bright orange fish) and for their noisy cheer, which usually includes firecrackers.
