Maidstone marked the arrival of the Year of the Snake with a spectacular Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday 1st February. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is the most significant traditional celebration for many East and Southeast Asian cultures. It signifies the start of the lunar calendar year and is typically observed with family reunions, feasts, and cultural traditions aimed at bringing good luck, health, and prosperity for the year ahead.

The event, produced by Cohesion Plus in partnership with the Maidstone Cultural Group and Maidstone Borough Council, brought together communities to celebrate this important occasion.

The festivities commenced on Jubilee Square with a traditional ‘Dotting of the Eyes’ ceremony, a symbolic ritual that awakens the Dancing Lions. The ceremony was led by Michael Lam, a member of the Maidstone Cultural Group and a local business owner, alongside Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus. They were joined by special guests, including Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Andrew Wood and Mayor of Maidstone Cllr John Perry.

Following the ceremony, the Dancing Lions took centre stage, captivating the crowds with their energetic and mesmerizing movements. The artistic program continued with a range of performances, including the SOAS Chinese Music Ensemble, who enchanted audiences with traditional Shanghai Tea Room melodies, and award-winning dancer Zihan Liu, who delivered a series of exquisite performances inspired by Chinese theatre.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, event organiser and Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented: “We were incredibly pleased to deliver this year’s Lunar New Year celebrations, ushering in the Year of the Snake, in partnership with the Maidstone Cultural Group and Maidstone Borough Council. It was a privilege to showcase a vibrant program of traditional music and dance, alongside the dynamic Dancing Lions, delighting the hundreds of spectators who joined us. These celebrations have grown into some of the largest in Kent, fostering unity among diverse communities, regardless of heritage or background.”

Cllr Stephen Thompson, Maidstone Borough Council Cabinet Member for Healthier Stronger Communities said, “The Chinese Year of the Snake started with a ‘bang’ on Saturday in Jubilee Square as two Chinese Lions performed their acrobatics to an energetic drum beat, amusing a large crowd of residents and passers-by.  We were treated to an elegant solo performance by a visiting male dancer from Beijing, before the local SOAS music group filled the High Street with traditional Chinese rural tunes.  Then the lions said ‘Goodbye’ to our Mayor and set off down Week Street to spread more new year festive excitement.”