Chinese New Year Festival

Dublin Chinese New Year Festival 2017 – 28th January – 12th February 2017

This year’s Dublin Chinese New Year (DCNYF) 2017 festival programme is packed full of delectable food offerings for people of all ages, shapes and sizes! The year of the Rooster will kick off its celebrations in Dublin on Chinese New Year’s Day – Saturday 28th of January with lots of festivities and family fun. Chinese culture permeates and influences countless aspects of Irish culture and Dublin life not least of all in the area of food.

Cookery Masterclasses

Looking to impress friends and family by serving up a Chinese New Year celebratory feast? Then why not kick off the celebrations by popping down to Cooks Academy on Sunday 29th of January at a special full-day Cookery Masterclass with Lauréat of Le Grand Prix de Cuisine de L’Academie, Chef Kwanghi Chan, and award-winning American-Chinese food writer Mei Chin. Former editor at Vogue Magazine, Mei has written reviews and essays for Gourmet, Vogue, Mirabella, and the New York Times Book Review. Both hosts will share some of the secrets of authentic Chinese cooking as they guide participants through the preparation of four delicious traditional dishes. Learn how to bridge the Irish-Chinese food gap, and enjoy food preparations in a relaxed, informal, and fun atmosphere. (Tickets €140, 10am – 4pm).

City Tour

Curious about Dublin’s surprising connections to China? The Asian Flavour Lazy Bike Tour on Sunday 29th of January is a fun and informative tour exploring Chinese influences and flavours in cosmopolitan Dublin, visiting different Chinese restaurants and sampling authentic dishes. Electric bikes will be provided by the Lazy Bike Tour Company.  (Tickets €25, 2-4pm)

Head down to the heart of Dublin’s Chinatown on Thursday 2nd of February and take part in a crash-course in Concocting the Perfect Hot Pot at Lao Restaurant on Parnell Street. There are many different styles of hot pot, but Chinese people are agreed on one cardinal rule – you don’t “hot pot” with people you don’t like. (Tickets €20, 6.30 – 8.30pm)

Tea Ceremony

A Chinese Tea Ceremony will take place in the National Botanic Gardens.  Tea remains a central piece in the Asian cultures, especially in China where it first originated. This traditional ceremony will be a sensory exploration and appreciation, come and discover the art and philosophy of drinking tea on Thurs 9 Feb, 2pm – 3.30pm.

Karaoke

It wouldn’t be a New Year’s celebration if Karaoke wasn’t involved in some way! Lao Restaurant in the heart of Chinatown is hosting a Karaoke and Chinese Bites night on Sunday 5th February. Enjoy an entertaining evening of Karaoke (English and Chinese songs) and some traditional Chinese bites. Karaoke starts at 5pm with food available from 6pm. (Tickets €10)

On the 31st of January join Dr Adrian Tien of Trinity Centre for Asian Studies in the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Centre, for a lecture on Chinese ‘Eating’ & ‘Drinking ’A linguistic & Cultural Perspective. Dr Adrian Tien goes beyond gastronomic pleasures in an attempt to understand why eating and drinking in China holds a privileged place in Chinese culture. (This is a free event but advanced booking is essential)

A celebration of Chinese culture in Dublin the festival is an initiative of Dublin City Council in conjunction with the Dublin Chinese New Year Advisory Panel which is made up of a range of representatives from the Dublin and Chinese community in Dublin.

The full programme of events  is available on www.dublinchinesenewyear.com in early 2017. Join the conversation online at www.facebook.com/DCNYF and www.twitter.com/DCNYF