Chinese New Year was celebrated right in the heart of Coventry City Centre for the first time in 2003.
The Chinese year of the ram was welcomed with a special programme of events, enjoyed by hundreds of Coventrians who braved the cold and rain to witness a brilliantly, vibrant event.
听Click the IMAGES button below to see the gallery of beautiful photographs from the event.
听A city filled with colour
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The Coventry and Warwickshire Chinese Association managed to stage three hours of entertainment thanks to a lottery grant and money the association raised itself.
The association had organised previous celebrations, which took place at the Canal Basin, but this was the first time the celebrations took place in the centre.
| 听 |  | A woman demonstrating Tai Chi
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The event was held on the second day of the Chinese New Year, Sunday, 2 February.
A specially-erected stage played host to a wide variety of entertainment, including lion and unicorn dancing and tai-chi demonstrations.
The stage show started witha bangwith a unicorn dance and firecrackers!
This was followed by speeches from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chinese Community Association, the Lord Mayor, Cllr Ken Taylor and other dignitaries.
 We are delighted to have received the Awards for All Grant...last year the event proved incredibly popular with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chinese community, as well as with local residents.
 | 听 | YK Cheung
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Then a wide variety of Chinese entertainment took place until 3pm.
As well as dancing and acrobats music was provided by a Hong Kong pop artist, the West Midlands Police Brass Band and the Coventry Corps of Drums
Children also delighted in the Chinese wealth god, Choi Sun, who was at the event, giving out red packets, called Lai See.
| 听 |  | The Choi Sun Wealth God hands out gifts
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These are filled with sweets that represent coins traditionally given to children and unmarried adults at new year and were given out for free at the celebrations.
At least 20 stalls offered Chinese goods and foods to accompany the event in both the centre and along Market Way.
Event-goers could eat traditional foods, buy arts and crafts and watch traditional Chinese entertainment.
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