
Editor’s note: Click here to find out about this year’s Chinese New Year Celebrations
On Sunday, February 6th Buenos Aires’ Chinatown will be ringing in the Year of the Rabbit, 4709 of the Chinese calendar.
The festivities will include the yearly dragon dance through the streets, advanced martial arts performances, live music and even tango demonstrations made up of Argentine and Asian-Argentine dancers.
The streets will be shut down to automobile traffic and lined with dozens of stands. There will be calligraphy and origami demonstrations, information on Chinese astrology, Feng Shui, Buddhism and a wide variety of economical Asian street food.
The inauguration will begin at midday. Carlos Lin Wen Chen, or Carlos Lin as he’s known on channel 7 and as the host of the automobile TV program, Carburando, will emcee the event. Performances will begin at 2:00 p.m. and run until 8:00 p.m.
Once a small celebration enjoyed mostly by the Asian community, 2010’s Chinese New Year celebration saw a record 50,000 people come out to ring in the Year of the Tiger.
“A lot more Argentines are studying Chinese now to operate in the business world,” says Maria Antonía Diaz, secretary at the Chinese-Argentine Cultural Association, one of the groups organizing of the event. “Others are drawn to this area because of the variety of businesses and an interest in the rich culture of China.”
Due to the huge turnout of last year’s celebration there will be two stages this year. The main stage will be at Olazabal and Arribeños and the secondary stage will be located at Montañeses and Mendoza.
Chinese New Year 4709, Year of the Rabbit
Sunday, February 6, 10 :00a.m. —8:00 p.m.
• Main stage: Olazabal and Arribeños
• Secondary stage: Montañeses and Mendoza