Building on the success of DCNYF (Dublin Chinese New Year Festival) in the past four years, we are delighted to launch our 5th festival celebrating the year of the Dragon, in the 4710th year of the Chinese calendar. DCNYF are committed to celebrating Sino-Irish relations showcasing Chinese culture and heritage to a new and wider audience while promoting interculturalism. Although we face very difficult economic times at present, the festival continues to develop and innovate and has once again created a range of exciting new events, projects and exhibits. DCNYF will open with a showing of the 2011 Film Sacrifice by the renowned film director Chen Kaige; a special Science Seminar will mark Dublin as the European City of Science in 2012; and as always the city libraries, galleries and museums will contribute greatly. The festival continues to seek out evidence of Sino-Irish connections in the past, to create new expressions of intercultural contact and exchange and to explore and develop the intricate rich connections between our nations.

During these challenging times, it is hoped that the self-assured, brave, and passionate energy of the Dragon will support our cities and countries.

This is your festival. This is your city. Welcome to the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival 2012. May the year bring you blessings of great fortune! From all the members of the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival Committee  …

Xin Nian Hao!

The official website for the festival is www.cny.ie

As Lord Mayor and First Citizen of Dublin, I extend my best wishes for a Happy New Year to the Chinese Community in Ireland. This year is especially important because of Dublin City Council’s recent twinning agreement between Beijing and Dublin. I believe this will be a key relationship in developing links and strong ties between our two cities and an opportunity for us to learn from each other to improve the lives and rights of both nations. It will also deepen Sino-Irish relations and celebrate the many aspects and connections we currently share. Most important will be the relationships built up between our city institutions – libraries, galleries, museums and universities.

I am delighted to launch the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival for 2012 and look forward to celebrating Sino-Irish relations in many forms in the Year of the Dragon. This year will see the first Lord Mayor’s Chinese New Year Lecture that I hope will continue for many years to come expanding and developing education and knowledge on various issues between our two countries.

I want to acknowledge the positive contribution made to our city over several years by our Chinese Community and I also want to thank and pay tribute to the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival (DCNYF) Committee for their hard work in continuing this Festival. I hope 2012 the great Year of the Dragon brings good health and good fortune to all!

Dragon symbolizes wisdom, courage and strength in Chinese culture. On the occasion of the Spring Festival of the Chinese Lunar Year of Dragon and on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to extend my warmest New Year greetings to all fellow Chinese, Chinese students and scholars in Ireland. I wish you all happiness, health and successful careers in the New Year. I also would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival Committee and Dublin City Council for your great efforts for the celebrations and for strengthening the friendship between the Chinese and Irish peoples. I wish the celebrations every success!

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Ireland

We can look back on the Year of the Rabbit as a very exciting and important year in cementing the ties of friendship between the Irish and Chinese people.

In June 2011, the two capital cities, Dublin and Beijing, became twin cities. This is more than a symbolic gesture. The twinning is designed to stimulate deepened cooperation in areas such as education, culture, science, tourism, trade and investment. Although differing in size, I firmly believe that Dublin and Beijing have much to offer and to learn from each other, and I am excited by the real and practical benefits that the twinning arrangement can deliver.

The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival is a colourful and vibrant celebration of Chinese culture. It is an opportunity for Irish people to enjoy and engage with China’s rich cultural heritage. Both Irish and Chinese people are intensely proud of their respective cultures and the festival overs a wonderful opportunity for people from both traditions to come together in celebration.

The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival also offers an opportunity to acknowledge the increasing contribution of Chinese people to Irish society. For example, there are now some 5,000 Chinese students registered in Irish higher education institutes, and we look forward to extending the renowned Irish welcome to many more in the years to come.

I would like to pay tribute to Dublin City Council and to everybody involved in organising the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival.

I know that there are many individuals who have worked tirelessly over many months to make this festival a reality. I wish them and all participants in the festival every success. I also wish all those Chinese people living in Ireland, a happy, successful and prosperous Year of the Dragon.

Ambassador of Ireland to the People’s Republic of China