New Year goes to the dogs

TASMANIANS have farewelled the year of the Rooster and ushered in the Year of the Dog.

People yesterday flocked to Parliament House lawns in their thousands to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. James Lee from the Chinese Community Association of Tasmania said that the enormous turnout was symbolic of the Hobart community’s strength.

“It was much bigger than last year … a record, I’d say,” Mr Lee said.

The highlight was a lion dance, a loud and colourful traditional ceremony performed by monks from the Tasmanian Chinese Bhuddist Academy.

Performer Vajra Hong Hao said the traditional Chinese ceremony was in- tended to shower the audience with positive energy. “It’s a blessing ceremony … to bring prosperity, fortune, and harmony,” Mr Hao said.

The two giant lions danced across the lawns and frequently reared up on their hind quarters, a manoeuvre which involves the lion’s front performer sitting on the shoulders of the rear performer.

Mr Hao said the monks practised the lion dance’s moves as part of their meditation and strength program.

The performance, followed by a traditional dragon dance, was watched by local dignitaries, including Premier Will Hodgman, who furnished the lions with vision by applying black paint to the eyeballs.

The festival also involved the Indonesian, Malaysian, Philippine, Korean and Indian communities.