Shopping centre rings in the Lunar New Year

Touchwood Solihull hosted a vibrant day of Lunar New Year activities on Saturday - marking the arrival of the Year of the Horse.

Visitors of all ages flocked to the centre to experience a host of festive activities, colourful performances, and traditional celebrations.

Some highlights included:

· Opening Ceremony: Host Rory Church got us underway with opening speeches from Touchwood General Manager and Solihull Chamber President Emma-Louise Hewitt of Sydney Mitchell.

· Lion Dance Performances: The festivities began with mesmerising lion dances, beginning in the atrium and then parading around the centre, through the high street and into Mell Square.

· Arts and Crafts Workshops: Families enjoyed hands-on sessions creating paper lanterns, calligraphy, and banners, guided by local artists.

· Mahjong Workshops: Local Hong Konger Mahjong players taught guests how to play the traditional game of Mahjong.

· Musical performances: Community members of all ages performed music in English and Cantonese, but it was the hugely talented young musicians that really made visitors hearts melt.

Touchwood general manager, Tony Elvin said, “We are thrilled to have hosted such a fantastic celebration for Lunar New Year.

“It was wonderful to see families and friends come together and embrace the rich cultural heritage of the occasion, an event organised and delivered by local Solihull people for local Solihull people”.

The Lunar New Year events at Touchwood brought the community together, celebrating diversity and honouring tradition.

Organisers expressed gratitude to all performers, volunteers, and attendees for their enthusiasm and support, which made the weekend an outstanding success, thanking the Global Missionary Church, Solihull Methodist Church, P&Y Music Academy, UK Welcomes Refugees, IHERE CIC and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.