The North London Chinese Association (NLCA) is thrilled to announce the upcoming Dragon Boat Luncheon Festival, set to take place on 13 June 2024 at the United Reformed Church NW9 6RR (Side entrance: Colin Close). This vibrant and culturally rich event celebrates the traditional Dragon Boat Festival with a delightful luncheon and a series of engaging activities.
The Dragon Boat Luncheon Festival is a time-honoured tradition that brings together the community to honour Chinese heritage. Attendees will have the opportunity to savour authentic Chinese cuisine, and enjoy performances by local artists showcasing traditional Chinese music and dance.
“We are excited to host this annual festival, which not only celebrates our culture but also fosters community spirit and unity,” said Edmond, Chairman of the North London Chinese Association. “It’s a wonderful occasion for people of all backgrounds to come together and experience the rich traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival.”
[即時發佈] 巴尼特皇家空軍博物館慶祝2024年龍年農曆新年社區開放日 北倫敦華人協會（NLCA）於2024年2月25日在巴尼特皇家空軍博物館成功舉辦了2024年龍年農曆新年社區開放日。 該活動由 Barnet Council 和 St George 贊助，並得到 30 多個社區組織的支持，為與會者提供資訊、資源和支持服務，促進社會凝聚力和社區融合。 來自不同背景的 1600 多人參加了這項活動。
Year of the Dragon 2024 Lunar New Year Community Open Day Celebrated at Royal Air Force Museum, Barnet
The North London Chinese Association (NLCA) successfully organised the Year of the Dragon 2024 Lunar New Year Community Open Day on 25th February 2024, at the Royal Air Force Museum in Barnet. The event, sponsored by the Barnet Council and St George, was supported by over 30 community organisations came together to offer information, resources, and support services to attendees, promoting social cohesion and community integration. The event was attended by more than 1600 people from diverse backgrounds.
The Year of the Dragon 2024 Lunar New Year Community Open Day aimed to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Chinese community and foster greater understanding and appreciation among the wider community. Attendees were treated to a vibrant and festive atmosphere, filled with traditional music, dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, and delicious Chinese cuisine.
Highlights of the event included:
Traditional Lion Dance: Spectacular performances by professional lion dance troupes entertained the audience with their energetic and mesmerizing routines, symbolizing good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
Cultural Workshops: Attendees had the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops and learn about Chinese calligraphy, origami, and other traditional arts and crafts.
Live Music and Performances: Talented musicians and performers showcased their skills, captivating the audience with traditional Chinese music, dance, and opera.
Mayor of Barnet Cllr Nagus Narenthira stated, “As Mayor of Barnet, I am delighted to extend my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating the Year of the Dragon at the Lunar New Year Community Open Day. This event is a testament to the vibrant diversity and unity of our community. this celebration promises to be a joyous occasion filled with cultural performances, delicious food, and meaningful connections.”
Mr Edmond Yeo, Chairperson of the North London Chinese Association, expressed his gratitude to the Barnet Council, St George, and all the community organizations and volunteers who contributed to the success of the event. He said, “The Year of the Dragon 2024 Lunar New Year Community Open Day was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our cultural heritage and share it with the wider community. We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and partners, and we look forward to continuing to promote cross-cultural understanding and harmony in our community.”
NORTH LONDON, September 28, 2023 — ‘Vitality in North London, Shining Together!’: The vibrant spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival shone brightly in North London as seniors and local residents came together for a heartwarming luncheon celebration organised by the North London Chinese Association (NLCA). Held at the Hyde United Reformed Church in Colindale generously supported by the Chinese Church in London, this event was a remarkable display of community bonding and cultural appreciation.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is an important tradition on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month widely celebrated by the Chinese and Southeast Asian communities. It is a time for families and communities to gather, give thanks, and enjoy the beauty of the full moon while savouring delicious mooncakes and other traditional treats.
The event began with a warm welcome by the Mayor of Barnet Council Cllr Nagas Narenthira, who expressed her gratitude to all attendees for their presence and participation, “The Mid-Autumn Festival Luncheon Celebration is a delightful and culturally enriching event that brought together our community to celebrate the spirit of unity and harmony.”
The festivities then continued with a delightful program of cultural performances, including traditional music and storytelling, all of which captivated the audience and brought smiles to many faces.
Our VIPs, including the Mayor of Barnet Council Cllr Narenthira, Barnet Councillors Cllr Humayune Khalick, Cllr Kamal Gurung, Cllr Ernest Ambe, Deputy CEO of Barnet Council Ms Cath Shaw, Parliamentary candidate for Hendon Mr David Pinto-Duschinsky, Mr Edward Reed and Mr Meto Parmacki added a touch of prestige and honour to the event with their presence. Their gracious participation enriched the celebration and helped foster a sense of togetherness within the community.
The event was marked by the cakes cutting and sharing to honour the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival and also to celebrate the birthdays of our cherished members born between July and December.
“Our goal was to bring people together and create an inclusive environment where everyone could learn about and appreciate the rich traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s wonderful to see our community come together to celebrate diversity and build lasting connections,” stated Anita, a Trustee of NLCA.
“We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and celebrate together.” Ms Cath Shaw added.
“We are incredibly grateful to have such a vibrant and close-knit community within NLCA,” said Edmond, the Chairman of NLCA. “This Mid-Autumn Festival Luncheon Celebration also allowed us to come together to honour and appreciate our members whose birthdays fall in the second half of the year. It’s a testament to the strong bonds that we share.”
“This multicultural feast exemplified the diversity and inclusivity of North London’s community.” Mr David Pinto-Duschinsky commented.
NLCA would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all the distinguished VIPs, generous sponsors, and dedicated volunteers who made our Mid-Autumn Festival Luncheon Celebration a resounding success.
About the North London Chinese Association (NLCA):
NLCA is committed to serving the vibrant and diverse Chinese community in North London. Our mission is to foster unity, promote cultural understanding, and enhance the well-being of our members through various programs, services, and community engagement. We strive to be a catalyst for positive change, building bridges between generations, cultures, and communities, while preserving and celebrating our rich Chinese heritage. For media inquiries and further information, please email [email protected].
[Colindale, London, 22nd June 2023] – The North London Chinese Association (NLCA) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the Elderly Luncheon Event held on 22nd June 2023. The event, which celebrated the cherished traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival, brought together seniors from the community for an afternoon of cultural enrichment, delicious food, and heartwarming friendship. The event was well supported by the Community and the 58th Mayor of Barnet Councillor Nagus Narenthira attended the event with her fellow Colindale South Ward Councillors Cllr Humayune Khalick and Cllr Gill Sargeant. Cllr Ernest Ambe Esq., Mr David Pinto-Duschinshy and our supporter Lions Club District Governor for District 105A Lion Kavaljit Dev and her husband Lion Pammy also joined the seniors to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a tradition that takes place annually in various parts of the world. With the aim of preserving and sharing this rich cultural heritage, the NLCA organised the Elderly Luncheon Event, creating a platform for seniors to engage in meaningful activities and strengthen community bonds. The event kicked off with a warm welcome from the organisers, who expressed their gratitude to the attendees for their presence and participation. The atmosphere was vibrant and festive, with the venue adorned in colourful decorations symbolising the Dragon Boat Festival’s spirit. The highlight of the luncheon was the delectable feast, featuring traditional dishes associated with the Dragon Boat Festival. Attendees savoured zongzi, sticky rice dumplings filled with various ingredients such as pork, peanuts, and beans, carefully wrapped in bamboo leaves. The culinary delights were accompanied by refreshing herbal teas, bringing back nostalgic memories and invoking a sense of togetherness. As part of the event, several activities were organised to engage and entertain the seniors. A short storytelling session captivated the audience with tales of the festival’s origin and significance. Mr Johnnie Wu and Ms Ruby Wong also sang for the audience. “The Elderly Luncheon Event celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival was a tremendous success,” said Mr Edmond Yeo, Chairman of NLCA. “We are delighted to have provided a platform for our cherished seniors to come together, share stories, enjoy delicious food, and experience the cultural richness of this festival. It is heartwarming to witness the smiles and camaraderie that filled the room today.” The event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and dedicated volunteers, whose contributions played an instrumental role in creating a memorable experience for all attendees. The NLCA extends heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual and organisation that made this event a grand success. Special thanks to Chinese Church in London (CCiL) for providing a free venue, Tao Tao Ju for providing the scrumptious authentic food.
