Year of the Dragon celebrations open to all

By Lourdes Quijada

If you’ve already given up on those new year’s resolutions, you can get a second chance before the month is out.

Chinese New Year is coming up this weekend  and Panama’s Chinese community plans to celebrate it with a bang. After all, they are descendants of the inventors of fireworks and what better way to  celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

The Chinese community has lived in harmony with the Panamanian community for over 150 years and have played, and continue to play, an important role in the development of the country,  so one and all are invited to share with them in the celebrations which start Sunday, January 22.

 The China Association of Panama has laid on a host of  attractions  for the young of all ages. The events will appeal to , both the Chinese and Panamanian communities, and those of us from other countries, who are temporary or permanent “guests.  Among the attractions are traditional dances which to be performed by a ballet brought directly from China; a martial arts extravaganza, a special fireworks show, highlighting the fact that the inventive skills of ancestors are alie and well in Panama. AChinese Pasarella with beautiful models residing in our country will provide the  perfect  complement to two days of celebration.

There will also be a  ping pong tournament,  a sport  in which the Chinese excel.There will be  karaoke contests for those music lovers backed by local musical figures including Osvaldo Ayala  with the refined sound of his accordion. 

And of course, the dragon dances,  a feature for every Chinese New Year, but especially the Year of the Dragon.

The dates to mark in your diary are January 22 and 23, and the must-visit location is in the New Chinatown: The Centro Comercial El Dorado.  Happy New Year. Enjoy.