THE Year of the Dragon is upon us and will be ushered in next month with the celebration of the Lunar New Year.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest events in Asian culture, Lunar New Year is about families coming together and will this year take place on 10 February.<\/p>\n
Hugo Leschen, CEO of Golden Dragon Museum, said the Chinese dragon is an important animal for Asian people because they are seen as benevolent beings that help if they are looked after.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenerally the Chinese dragons are very powerful and generous and helpful and kindly towards humans, so we\u2019ll especially celebrate with the Bendigo Chinese Association the year of the dragon,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Golden Dragon Museum is home to the largest collection of Chinese heritage artefacts and documents in Australia including Loong, the oldest intact processional dragon in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love all our objects equally, but it\u2019s a bit like grandchildren, if we had to love some objects more than others, it may be that we love our dragons most,\u201d Mr Leschen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are very particular, they have their own presence about them, and they are really special,\u201d<\/p>\n
This year the Lunar New Year parade will be led by Sun Loong, the world\u2019s second oldest processional dragon.<\/p>\n
Sun Loong has paraded in Bendigo since 1970 but now only comes out for special celebrations.<\/p>\n
Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo Cr Andrea Metcalf said she was looking forward to seeing Sun Loong in procession and can remember seeing the dragon when she was younger.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just love the Chinese lion teams, they\u2019re just fantastic the way that they perform and they\u2019re so real and lifelike in how they dance around it\u2019s just lovely to see,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
This year the procession will involve 50 dragon bearers and at least 20 other bearers to carry other animals and regalia for Sun Loong.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re the city of dragons,\u201d Ms Metcalf said. \u201cIt\u2019s the year of dragons.\u201d<\/p>\n
Luna New Year celebrations will take place at Dai Gum San from 5.30 pm on Saturday 10 February.<\/p>\n
A traditional ceremony to awaken the dragon before Sun Loong\u2019s procession at 7pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Year of the Dragon is upon us and will be ushered in next month with the celebration of the Lunar New Year. One of the biggest events in Asian culture, Lunar New Year is about families coming together and will this year take place on 10 February. Hugo Leschen, CEO of Golden Dragon Museum, […]<\/p>\n