Burlington Arcade celebrates Chinese New Year with cultural workshops

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Burlington Arcade in London recently hosted cultural workshops for visitors to experience traditional Chinese culture. Among the activities were workshops on making pear incense and lacquered fans.

Pear incense, said to be invented by Li Yu, the last ruler of the Southern Tang state (937-975), is deemed as an elegant and exquisite type of incense popular at the ancient royal court. Made by steaming a pear filled with agarwood powder over fire, the incense is ready when the pear juice is absorbed by the powder.

Lacquered fans, with a history dating back 4,000 years, were an important craft during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) and reached their peak during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). By this time, they had become part of the courtcollection and were highly appreciated among the literati. Trupti Shah, commercial director of Burlington Arcade, said organizing the workshops during Spring Festival holds immense significance for the historic landmark, allowing it to deepen its tradition of honoring Chinese New Year. "By showcasing the time-honored crafts, we aim to create a bridge between the rich traditions of Chinese culture and Burlington Arcade," Shah said.

Shah noted that visitors would leave the workshop with a deeper appreciation for the artistry, tradition and cultural richness that the crafts embody.

"Beyond the skill of creating incense, this experience invites visitors to connect with the essence of Chinese cultural heritage, fostering a sense of wonder and inspiration," she added. "Our aim is to offer more than just a momentary indulgence; we wish for them to carry with them a lasting impression of cultural sophistication and the shared beauty of global traditions, made even more memorable within the historic elegance of Burlington Arcade."

This year, Chinese New Year fell on Jan 29 and marks the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom and resilience in the 12 Chinese zodiac.