Chinese New Year in the Writers Centre

The Chinese New Year this year falls on Thursday 7th February. This heralds the start of the Year of the Rat.

Apparently the Rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac and signifies new beginnings.

This year is thus a great time to start new ventures, including new ideas, directions, and ways of doing things. It is a time to experiment and put plans into action, as there will be plenty of opportunities to achieve success. Something to consider is that which is begun now is likely to have long term consequences, so choose wisely to enrich your life.

So now would be a good year to get that novel written, that collection collected, that story actually sent out for a change. Bite the bullet. Feel the pain. And all sorts of other cliches.

Meanwhile, the Irish Writers' Centre is trying to diversify. It already hosts a group for non-nationals but now it is celebrating the Chinese community.

As part of its commitment to initiatives for Ireland’s new communities, the Irish Writers’ Centre plays host to events next week to mark Chinese New Year. On Wednesday 6th February (New Year’s Eve) the Irish Writers’ Centre and Dublin City Council present an evening of Chinese and Irish literature and music at 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. Special guest is author Dermot Bolger, who will be reading poetry and prose on the subject of new years and new beginnings.

Tickets are limited and must be applied for in advance. For further details, contact the Irish writers’ Centre on: (+353 1) 872 1302 or at: info@writerscentre.ie

There is also an exhibition of Chinese music and literature.