Signalling the start of the Lunar New Year and welcoming 2020, The Year of the Rat, Northbridge is set to flourish in a sea of colour and cultural celebrations over the next few weeks.
The annual festival will run until February 9, combining an array of traditional cultural celebrations with contemporary activations in the heart of city.
In Northbridge Piazza, a majestic Wishing Tree will reside on the super screen between 9am and 5pm every day for the duration of the festival. Passers-by can watch as its branches grow, blossoming with more wishes and decorations as each day goes by.
Nearby, people perusing Northbridge’s boutiques and eateries will be met with the sight of more than 300 beautiful red lanterns strung along James and William Street.
The decorations will see Northbridge Piazza, James Street and Perth Cultural Centre transformed, ready for this year’s Chinese New Year Fair on Sunday February 2.
The free community carnival, delivered by Perth’s Chung Wah Association, will take place between 12pm and 9pm, featuring a variety of dazzling cultural performances and entertainment including Lion and Dragon dancing, a parade, multicultural concert, games, rides and stalls for the whole family to enjoy.
“The City of Perth is delighted to partner with Chung Wah, Northbridge Common and City of Vincent to facilitate this year’s Lunar New Year celebrations,” said City of Perth Chair Commissioner Andrew Hammond.
“As Northbridge comes to life with decorations and festivities it’s wonderful to see people come from all corners of the Perth metropolitan area and surrounds to experience Lunar New Year and celebrate our city’s rich multicultural identity.
“By inviting people to share in cultural and artistic events, the City is continuing to build a vibrant, connected community and make Perth an inviting place to live, work and visit.”
Adding a whimsical touch to the festival atmosphere, city revellers can look forward to a rather enchanting art installation at Perth Cultural Centre from 7 to 9 February.
The Museum of the Moon is an impressive orb-like artwork, depicting detailed imagery of the moon’s surface and guaranteed to inspire curiosity.
UK artist Luke Jerram said the seven-metre artwork, which will hang above Perth Cultural Centre, would provoke passers-by to contemplate cultural similarities and differences around the world.
“From the beginning of human history, the moon has acted as a cultural mirror to our beliefs, understanding and ways of seeing,” said Mr Jerram.
“Depending on where the artwork is presented, its meaning and interpretation shift. Through local research at each location of the artwork, new stories and meanings will be collected and compared from one presentation to the next.”
Rounding out two weeks of festivities, a Lantern Festival delivered by Northbridge Common and City of Vincent will see William Street erupt with excitement on Sunday 9 February.
From 4pm to 9pm families can make the most of the finale, enjoying free entertainment, Lion dances, live performances, food vendors, workshops and children’s activities.
