STUBBORN and intelligent, people born in Year of the Pig are likely to have more opportunity to become wealthy. There is plenty to celebrate about the prospects of upcoming prosperity in Chinese New Year celebrations at Sovereign Hill.
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Lion dancing, colourful ribbon dancing and Chinese Dragon Xin Loon coming to life in Main Street created a lively atmosphere for special festivities on Sunday.
Chinese Australian Cultural Society Ballarat vice-president Charles Zhang said celebrations were a key part of bridging understanding and appreciation between Australian and Chinese culture for both tourists and people living in Ballarat.
“More people know about the gold rush about 150 years ago but a lot of newcomers have no idea about the culture or no idea about the Australian way,” Mr Zhang said.
This is the 11th year CACSB has marked Chinese New Year at Sovereign Hill. Society members held a private temple worship at the active joss house within the outdoor museum, before opening hours.
Sovereign Hill education officer Alice Barnes said celebrations had lots of fun elements, like making craft activities in making pig hand puppets and lucky envelopes, and the popular dancing lions and dragon.
But there were plenty of thought-provoking programs for visitors.
“The Anti-Chinese League performance, is one of our regular programs, but is really provocative in how it highlights racial tension on the diggings and how European miners banded together to get the Chinese banned from the gold fields,” Ms Barnes said. “There is a strong debate.”
The Gold Museum has a series of Chinese exhibitions with behind-the-scenes tours into the collections store to find Chinese artifacts dating back to the 19th century.
Lotus Shoes for women with bound feet are a reminder of the measures women will take in fashion.
Chinese New Year celebrations, including the dragon dance up Main Street, will return to Sovereign Hill on Sunday.
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