Decorative lanterns and dragons to enliven George Town for CNY

From The Star Metro:

Saturday January 7, 2012

SOME 2,000 red lanterns will adorn several streets in the George Town heritage enclave to welcome in the Year of the Dragon on Jan 23 and Jan 24.

The lanterns would be strung up before the weekend, said Chinese New Year Cultural and Heritage Celebration 2012 organising committee chairman Cheah Chuan Wooi.

Red is for prosperity: Workers preparing to hang up red lanterns for the Chinese New Year Cultural and Heritage Celebration 2012 in George Town

The lanterns can be seen along Chulia Street, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Armenian Street, Ah Quee Street, Acheen Street, Cannon Street, Soo Hong Lane and Jalan Kampung Kolam.

Cheah said besides the lanterns, two dragon figures measuring 3.65m each would adorn an arch to be erected at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.

“There will be a lighting ceremony on Wednesday. Apart from that, we will also install five pavilions at different spots so that the public can have their pictures taken.

Tourist delight: Foreign visitors taking in the festive atmosphere during their trishaw ride through Armenian Street, George Town.

“At our main stage in front of Yap Kongsi, we will also have a decoration featuring an ancient copper coin with a dragon,” he said.

Cheah said the event has come a “full circle” as this year is the 12th time that it has been organised.