Chinese spectacular to welcome Year of the Sheep

A team of dancers, acrobats, musicians and martial artists from Sichuan, in China’s far south west, and from Sheffield, will bring all the colour and spectacle of the mysterious East to the heart of the city on Monday.

This year’s main event will take the form of a “journey to the East”, in which two local girls will be taken on a magical mystery tour to the Orient — encountering lion dancers, acrobats and fierce martial artists along the way.

Before the main evening's entertainment, there will be a series of earlier events at City Hall — including a creative writing workshop with Mr Murgatroyd, author of a trilogy of novels set in ancient China.

There will also be a pre-show, cultural stalls and Chinese-style refreshments in the City Hall Ballroom.

The evening promises to provide an unforgettable taste of China, said Tak Liu, chairman of the Sheffield Chinese New Year Celebration Joint Committee, which has organised the event.

Tak added: “Chinese New Year is the most important festival for Chinese people.

“Like Christmas, it is a time of joyful celebration and family reunion accompanied by many different customs and traditions.

“The Sheffield Chinese New Year Celebration plays an important role both in bringing Chinese people living in Sheffield together to celebrate this special time of year, and in sharing the Spring Festival festivities with the wider community.

“The show is popular with people of all age groups and backgrounds, and really has a unique atmosphere.”