Maclean's Highland Bakery hosts Chinese New Year celebration organised by Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Association with performance from Glasgow Hong Lok Dragon and Lion Dancing Troupe
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A LOCAL businessman is hoping for ‘growth, vitality and the blossoming of wisdom’ following a traditional blessing from visitors.
Managing director of Maclean’s Highland Bakery, Lewis Maclean, welcomed a Chinese New Year celebration in the firm’s car park at the Greshop Industrial Estate on the Lunar New Year (February 10), organised by the Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Association (SHIMCA), featuring song and dance by the Glasgow Hong Lok Dragon and Lion Dancing Troupe.
Lewis, who was accompanied by his sister and fellow Maclean’s director Carol Shewan as well as his grandson Rory (1), said: “I’ve known SHIMCA chairwoman Monica for about 30 years. This is the second time we’ve had the traditional blessing on the Chinese New Year and we received blessings from the dragon.
“We supply two Chinese customers and send them photos of the event here.
“This year, there was a Chinese film crew following them which is potentially great exposure for ourselves on international television!”
Chinese New Year - or the Spring Festival - celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.
Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, observances traditionally take place from Chinese New Year’s Eve, the evening preceding the first day of the year, to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year.
The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20.
In 2024, the Chinese Zodiac welcomes the Wood Dragon, intertwining the mythical prowess of the dragon with the grounding influence of the wood element.
The combination is said to promise a year marked by growth, vitality, and the blossoming of wisdom.
The SHIMCA charity was founded in 2004 and now has over 550 members. It offers its members education, activities, guest speakers and law advice.
Chairwoman Monica Lee-Macpherson MBE confirmed Lewis invited the celebration.
She said: “Lewis is a long-standing supporter of SHIMCA so we wished to thank him by performing the Lion Dance to bless, and bring prosperity as well as good luck, to his bakery.
“He notified local schools and residents of the performance so a large number of people turned out, including Chinese students studying at the Glasgow School Art’s Altyre campus.”
Afterwards, the party was bused to Elgin’s Plainstones where pupils from local schools enjoyed another performance.
