The Chinese New Year will commence on 14 February, 2010, the year of the Tiger. The Tiger, the third animal sign in the Chinese Zodiac, is an intrepid fighter and symbolises bravery. The Chinese say that having a tiger in the house is the best protection against three potential household threats – fire, burglary and ghosts.

Tigers are powerful, gracious, friendly and loving but can also be selfish and short tempered. Generally, Tigers surround themselves with friends and family but some tend to be independent and competitive, changing careers more frequently because they get bored quite easily. They are natural born leaders, enjoy a challenge and perform at their best if working towards positions of power and influence.

Last year was a challenging year for many people; we are all hoping for a more prosperous and rewarding 2010. Liverpool, which is twinned with Shanghai, is now the only U.K. city participating in the Shanghai World Expo 2010, which runs from 1 May to 31 October.

The Expo theme of “Better City, Better Life”, will be the ideal opportunity for all of us, not just the Tiger, to embrace new ideas, open up new prospectives, forge new trading and cultural partnerships and promote a better economy. This event is regarded as a major opportunity to forge new relationships in emerging markets and is expected to be worth £50m to Liverpool and the North West over the next decade. Who couldn't do with more money and prosperity!

This is also the year for better Health and Wellbeing. Most of us have good intentions about kickstarting the year by improving our health and changing our eating habits. Some will succeed and maintain this but for many, we will not last more than a few months! Sound familiar? So, to help you maintain your momentum, we have teamed up with and are promoting the Eat Right Campaign, so you are all more than welcome to visit the stall for fresh ideas.

Liverpool will be celebrating its Chinese New Year on Sunday, 21 February, 2010. As always, the street festivities will be fun filled, with plenty of activities for children and adults, including the traditional Lion, Dragon and the Unicorn dances.

More information about a series of celebrations can be found at other parts of this website.

The Liverpool Chinatown Chinese New Year Co-ordinating Committee 2010 would like to thank its sponsors and supporters and wish you all, “Kung Hei Fat Choi”!

Did you know?

People born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be natural born leaders and they symbolise power, passion and daring.

Famous Tigers include Qin Shi Huang (The first Emperor of China), the Prophet Muhammad (Prophet of Islam), Lǐ Shízhēn (Ming botanist and pharmacologist, author of Compendium of medical herbs), Queen Elizabeth II, Dr Sun Yat Sen (Father of Modern China).Sir David Attenborough (nature show programmer for the BBC and environmentalist), Sir Richard Branson (British entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin brand) and Tom Cruise.

2010Liverpool Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations Organising Committee consists of representatives from (in alphabetic order):-

Chi Kung Tong Chinese Association, Pagoda Chinese Community Centre, Hoy Yin Chinese Association, Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Chinese Business Association, Merseyside Chinese Community Development Association, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Services, Merseyside Police, Tap Mun Chinese Association, See Yep Chinese Association (UK), Wah Sing Chinese Community Centre, Wirral Chinese Association