ARCADIAN WELCOMES YEAR OF THE GOAT

As the Year of the Horse comes to a close, Birmingham’s Southside will once again play host to the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations as thousands of festival-goers descend on the area and welcome in the Year of the Goat.

Taking place on Sunday 22^nd February between 12.30pm – 5.00pm, this year’s celebrations will see traditional Chinese music, lion dancers, acrobats, martial artists and more take to the main stage in The Arcadian, at the heart of Southside.

The festivities will spill out into the streets with the surrounding Hurst Street and Inge Street lined with street food and traditional market stalls, selling their wares to visitors. Southside will also host craft workshops in the historic Back to Backs Courtyard where children can sit and make special Year of the Goat masks.

Organised by the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee (BCFC), the 2014 festival welcomed over 15,000 visitors. Numbers set to increase again this year. Traditionally a quiet time for businesses, the event helps increase footfall to local businesses by up to 200%.

Julia Chance, Southside BID manager, said: “Southside’s Chinese New Year celebrations have continued to grow year on year, bringing thousands of new and returning visitors to this vibrant and diverse part of Birmingham.

“Despite its continued success, the Chinese New Year festival will lose its council funding next year as a result of the many cuts happening across the city. Southside BID is working diligently with its partners and the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee to attract sponsorship and fill the funding gap, ensuring the festival remains as popular in years to come.”

Lina Higuita, centre manager for the Arcadian which is owned and managed by London & Cambridge Properties Ltd (LCP), said: “We are excited to host and support the Chinese New Year event once again; this fun and vibrant showcase of Chinese culture is always a highlight for us.

“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Arcadian to enjoy a unique style of celebration, which will include activities and entertainment for all ages.”

For more information about the Chinese New Year celebrations in Southside, please visit www.enjoysouthside.co.uk or www.cnybirmingham.org.uk