The Chinese New Year is not a public holiday in UK so major public celebrations tend to occur on weekends before or after the New Year day.
However, that has not prevented celebrations on the first few days of the Chinese New year.
On the second day of the Chinese New Year, the Praying Mantis Kung Fu Club, a local group, was performing the Qilin Dance, 麒麟舞, for the businesses in Birmingham Chinatown.
Chinese New Year Qilin Dance
Like in Liverpool Chinatown, the Qinlin dance group consisted of both Chinese and non-Chinese members. They came together to perform and as they moved from one location to the next, a steady crowd of fans formed and followed them taking photos and videos.
Attracting the crowds from afar were the giant flags bearing the group’s name. Moving just behind this was the Qilin Dancers, common among the Cantonese and Hakka community.
Just behind them was the musical group holding a drum and gong balanced on a pole and supported by two members.
The Qilin group was eagerly awaited by the businesses in Birmingham Chinatown. Some of the them even prepared fire crackers to be set off during the Qilin performance. And the fire crackers of course attracted more people to the growing crowd.
The big celebration
Most of the residents in Birmingham were of course working as this happens but fortunately of them, this is just the starter or event warmer.
The highly anticipated event will be the public Chinese New Year celebration in the weekend following the New Year.
Event date: 24 Jan 2012
2nd day of the 1st Lunar Month, Year of the Dragon
壬辰年一月二日
Chinese New Year
The 
