Nine days… One city… Endless reasons to celebrate. Dublin Lunar New Year gallops through the city’s streets from February 14th – 22nd, welcoming the Year of the Horse with a packed programme of culture, colour and seriously good food.
We’re told that the Year of the Horse represents a period of rapid change, energy and freedom, and it’s fair to say that this year’s festival definitely captures those key elements. From talks on Bruce Lee and Kung Fu at the Synge Theatre to Mongolian wreath-making, photogram workshops and a chance to explore Classical Chinese Gardens through the Centuries in St Anne’s Park, this is a festival made to satiate curiosity across virtually every medium. Saddle up!
Eat Your Way Into The New Year
Saba’s delicious Lunar New Year tasting menu is back. Expect celebratory flavours, thoughtful twists and an excuse to order one more cocktail “for prosperity” at their South William Street and Baggott Street locations.
Featuring tasty Kanom Jee, Wok-Fried Crispy Duck Noodles, Bua Loi Nam-Khing and a special Lunar New Year cocktail crafted just for the occasion, the menu is available from Feb 17th to 22nd.
Asia Market is also set to add plenty of fuel to those all-important Lunar New Year vibes with a lavish Chinese banquet at Ka Shing Restaurant where diners can look forward to tucking into a tasty selection of classic dim sum, followed by some standout seafood, and generous Sichuan-spiced mains.
With traditional Chinese egg tarts to finish, the indulgent, multi-course spread designed for sharing and savouring takes place on Thursday, Feb 12th.
For more details see @asiamarketie
Art and Culture at Dublin’s Galleries
The National Gallery goes hands-on with Spirit of the Horse family workshops, plus a Mandarin highlights tour for a fresh lens on the collection.
Meanwhile, over at the Chester Beatty, expect lantern-making, Korean percussion and guided Mandarin tours through the museum’s treasures.
Guide Jinghan Wang also invites Dubliners to come along and enjoy a Mandarin language tour while exploring treasures from the collections, while visitors are free to take part in a workshop decorating paper lanterns.
There’s also a chance to enjoy an evening of live percussion music by Doo-Doong Samulnori ensemble rooted in Korean folk and farming culture.
After Dark at Hen’s Teeth
Friday Feb 20th sees Blackpitts getting a late-night glow-up over at Hen’s Teeth with an enticing programme of short films curated by Han Nguyen.
The screening spotlighting emerging Asian voices is followed by DJ sets celebrating pan-Asian sounds with all the energy, diversity, and influence that entails. Tickets via Eventbrite.
Film Fans, This One’s for You
At the IFI, catch a stunning 4K restoration of Center Stage (1991), screening as part of East Asia Film Festival Ireland.
Feast your eyes on some old-school cinema magic, in a newly polished director’s cut starring Maggie Cheung, winner of Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1992.
A Song and Dance on Hill Street
The last Sunday afternoon of the festival sees Hill Street transformed into an Asian Wonderland, as Hill Street Family Resource Centre hosts their annual Lunar New Year Community Festival to ring in the Year of the Horse.
Held in collaboration with the North East Inner City (NEIC) initiative and Dublin City Council, visitors to the area can look forward to a wide range of traditional entertainment, accompanied by lots of song and dance. 2-7 pm on Sunday, February 22nd, Hill Street in Dublin 1.
Wolfe Tone Square Blowout
The big one… The festival finale on Sunday Feb 22nd turns Wolfe Tone Square into a free, all-day playground of K-pop, Cantonese lion dancing, Mongolian trad, Samulnori drummers, food stalls and family fun.
As the festival wends its way to a close fans of Korean cuisine can enjoy a taste of that country’s rich culinary heritage courtesy of Seoul Kitchen. They’ll be serving a tasty array of authentic Korean dishes, while creating an immersive culinary experience that nicely complements the festival’s cultural celebrations.
Come hungry, leave buzzing.
For full programme details see dublinlunarnewyear.ie
