By Chinedu Onyejelem

Every member of the Chinese community in Ireland should work for better and stronger Sino-Irish relations.

That’s the message from the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland ahead of 2017’s Chinese New Year celebrations, which will be held across Dublin from 28 January to 13 February.

“In the coming Chinese lunar new year of rooster, we are fully committed to working with people from all walks of life in Ireland to further strengthen the Sino-Irish Strategic Partnership for Mutually Beneficial Co-operation,” said Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong. 

“I am sure that my fellow Chinese here will continue making efforts to the growth and prosperity of Ireland and contribute even more to the friendship and mutual understanding between our two peoples”.

Ambassador Yue expressed his gratitude to Dublin City Council for establishing the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival, which he said highlights the council’s efforts to “celebrate diversity and inclusiveness”.

Meanwhile, the Lord Mayor of Dublin sent his best Chinese New Year wishes to all Chinese people in Ireland. 

“A symbol of honesty, communication and punctuality in the Chinese zodiac, the rooster also represents commitment to our aspirations and reminds us of the positive contribution the Chinese community make to Irish society,” said Lord Mayor Lord Brendan Carr.

“The festival gives us a wonderful opportunity to experience the extraordinary world of Chinese food, music, dance, literature, sport and art. In doing so, we can celebrate cultural differences between Ireland and China in fun and interesting ways, while also identifying common values and shared ambitions for the year ahead.”

Activities planned for this year’s Dublin Chinese New Year Festival include an Irish/Chinese youth concert at the Hugh Lane Gallery on Sunday 12 February, and the ‘Just Share It’ photo competition with cash prizes up for grabs.

“Regardless of whether you are a professional or amateur, who you are or where you are from, you are welcome to submit photos of wonderful moments from Chinese New Year celebrations,” said organisers of the contest.

All entries must be photos taken outside of the Chinese mainland between 1 January and 28 February of this year.
For more information, visit dublinchinesenewyear.com.