Tag: chinese new year

Tiger Time!

Well, although the humans are very busy, they said we could have a party to celebrate Chinese New Year. So we’re going to have a feast!

The vaarks are gathered around a long table, with bowls and chopsticks and bottles of soy sauce. In the background are Chinese painted bamboo mats, a dragon lantern, a fan and a model junk.

Ah, here’s Ofelia, with our special Chow Mein! It smells delicious, we can’t wait to tuck in.

Ofelia has brought a big silver dish of cooked noodles to the table and all the vaarks look on expectantly.

So anyway, says Nano, which animal is represented this year? Bernard says, it’s the Year of the Tiger. Isn’t that dangerous? Says Nano. No, says Bernard, there aren’t any tigers loose in Salford.

Nano, sitting on the table, talks to Bernard

But… We can all hear something. A sort of roaring noise…

All the vaarks are looking off to the left

RUN!

All the vaarks are scampering off to the right. The noodle bowls, chopsticks and soy sauce bottles are scattered across the table.

Good Grief, it’s a tiger, it’s huge! And it’s got it’s eye on our noodles! It’s going to eat the lot. Hang on. Where’s Nano!!

A stuffed toy tiger, much bigger than the vaarks, has appeared from the left. He looks at the big bowl of noodles, spilt on the floor.

The tiger is tucking into the noodles

Oh, there he is, hiding under a noodle bowl. He’s got his portion, and he’s not going to let any tiger get in his way.

One of the upturned noodle bowls on the table has been lifted up a little, to reveal Nano hiding underneath, with some tiny scraps of noodle.

Happy New Year everyone, he says. Gong Hei Fat Choy!

A close up of Nano under a noodle bowl with his noodles.

Happy New Year of the Ox!

Well here we are, it’s time to celebrate Chinese New Year again! We’re dressed up, and we’ve got all our decorations out.

All the vaarks are gathered in front of a painted bamboo backdrop, wearing chinese style jackets or hats.

First of all, we’re having our traditional Dragon Dance, as always! Look how it snakes about.

Some of the vaarks are under the body of a long Chinese dragon, snaking across the room

Oh Nano, are you afraid of the Dragon’s fierce head?

Nano looks up to the head of the dragon

No no no, says Nano, I’m fine. I’m just…. Inspecting the inside of Microvaark’s hat.

Nano is hiding under Micro’s Chinese hat.

Hello, Fury looks like she’s about to do something dangerous…. Ah, yes, it’s time for the firecrackers!

Fury is wearing ear defenders, eye protectors and has a fire extinguisher.

Ratvaark talks to Fury

Bang bang bang! Bangbangbangbangbangbang! Bangbangbang! Gosh these firecrackers are noisy!

The vaarks watch from behind a tape as Fury sets off a string of firecrackersA close up of Fury and the firecrackers – some sparkling, some smoking, some burnt at the edges.

Hold on a mo. Arnold normally watches out when we have fireworks. Where is he? And Ernest!

Ratvaark turns to talk to the rest of the vaarks.

Oh, yes Nano of course, it’s the Year of the Ox, that’s what they are sorting out. Yes, you go and get them now if you like.

Ratvaark talks to Nano

Here they are in the Pantomime Ox!

The vaarks look at a pantomime cow, we can see Arnold and Ernests bottoms sticking out below the costume.

Bernard has been reading up on it, and says the Ox is Diligent, Dependable, Strong and Determined. All very vaarkish qualities!

Bernard looks at the Ox.

Nano says, the Ox is certainly a fine way to travel!

Nano is sitting on top of the ox, holding the halter rope.

Well, after all the excitement, it’s time to sit down for our banquet. We’ll be having all sorts of tasty dishes, eaten with chopsticks, of course!

The vaarks are gathered around a table, with bowls, and chopsticks.

Nano can’t reach into a normal bowl, so we borrowed one from the dolls’ house for him. He says it’s might be small, but he’ll have seconds and thirdses!

Nano has a tiny blue and white pattern bowl and chopsticks.

So, a very Happy New Year to all our friends. Gong Hei Fat Choy!

Ratvaark faces the camera to wish everyone a happy new year.

 

Chinese Burns!

Tonight is a special night – it is Chinese New Year and also Burns Night! So, we have decided to have a Chinese Burns Night.

Ratvaark and friends are gathered in a room with Chinese décor. Ratvaark wears a kilt, the others wear Chinese outfits

Ow! No Ernest, not that sort of Chinese burn! We are going to celebrate Robert Burns, with a Chinese twist. No! Don’t twist my snozzle again!

Ernest twists Ratvaark’s snozzle in a Chinese Burn

This year is especially exciting for me, as the new Chinese year is the Year of the Rat! According to tradition, Rats are clever, quick thinkers.

Ratvaark wears glasses and stands in front of a blackboard in which is written E = MC squared

Rats are also content with a quiet easy life.

Ratvaark sits at a table with a cup of tea and a sodoku puzzle

Rats are very fond of saving and hoarding!

Ratvaark has a shopping trolley full of various biscuits.

And the best thing is, that Rats are liked by all!

Ratvaark is surrounded by all his friends

So, let’s get down to the festivities. I am in my kilt of course. Oh hello Nano, what’s did you say? You’ve got a kilt too? Let’s have a look. That’s super!

First, we have our Chinese dragon dance. Fury says she’s upgraded the dragon head this year, I wonder what that means.

Arnold faces the Chinese dragon, whose long body is supported by various vaarks

Oh! Lawks! Thank goodness Arnold had his extinguisher to hand!

Now for a Scottish touch, Peggy treats us to a display of Scottish sword dancing. Mind your feet!

Peggy dances on crossed swords, as Dim plays the accordion

Back to China for a string of bangers! Ernest is taking care to light them safely, and protect his hearing!

Ernest wears ear defenders and holds a long taper to light a string of bangers.

And for the finale, of course, Dim pipes in the Haggis. And Nano has volunteered to read the Address to the Haggis.

The vaarks gather around a willow pattern plate on which a haggis sits. Dim plays the bagpipes, and Nano sits on the haggis

“Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin’-race!”

A close up of Dim and Nano on the haggis

And now we’re off to enjoy our haggis neeps and tatties. We hope you do too!