Chinese New Year celebrations in downtown Johannesburg

1967

The Goat comes 8th in the Chinese zodiac. The 12 zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
According to Chinese astrology, each year (starting from Chinese New Year) is associated with an animal sign, occurring in a 12-year cycle. For example 2015 is a year of the Goat.
Lucky Colors: brown, red, purple.Lucky Numbers: 2, 7. Lucky Flowers: carnation, primrose. Year of Birth: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
 

The lady in the corner of the image is Paulette Leong,
the English secretary of the Chinese Association of Gauteng,
and our host for part of the evening.
A great vantage point for the fireworks.
Unfortunately I was not so lucky with the Dragon and Lion dancing display
and the crowds prevented me (and many others) from getting a good view.
Perhaps, next year, the organizers will consider utilizing a few more city blocks
in order to spread the crowd?
And allow the vendors the opportunity to sell their wares unimpeded.
 

Time to light up the skies.
I know that there will be those who say that fireworks are a waste of money.
And if the truth be told, the cost of the display could probably have fed/housed/clothed
many people. But this was about celebration and not philanthropy.
Although I am certain that the Chinese community does do a lot of charity work
 

The Johannesburg skyline from a different angle.
 

What goes up must come down…
And unfortunately some of it did and burned my favourite fleece.
 

It has been years since I attended a “proper” fireworks display
With music and a theme…
 

Multitudes of colours, sounds and sensory overload.
 

Lighting the night sky RED…
 

These professional pyrotechnics are light years away from the
crackers we played with us children all those years ago.
 

No lighting required…
They are all digitally triggered.
 

The Magistrates Court on the right never looked so good.
 

Differing shapes 1…
 

Differing shapes 2
 

Differing shapes 3
 

Differing shapes 4
 

Is it just me, or can YOU see the outline of a human form?
 

The beginning of the end…
 

The finale…
Spectacular. Congratulations to Starburst Pyrotechnics for a job well done. 

Shop owners hung bunches of fireworks from their store fronts.
They made more noise that the whole pyro display put together.
But for me, the interesting fact is all the lit smartphone screens in my picture.
As an aside, I have never seen so much professional camera gear in one place!

 


Time to tootle homeward in a Tuk-Tuk.
The ride cost us the same as the parking (R100) but with a lot less stress.
If you enjoyed this posting,
you might want to have a look at this:
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2015/02/i-celebrate-year-of-goat-in-downtown.html

         
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