5 February 2016 –
It's a cold, cold, COLD day in Tianjin! Today is the Temple Fair at IST to celebrate the Spring Festival before we go on a one-week holiday. (yippee!!!!!!)
We're in front of the Han Building (Secondary school) getting ready to watch the Lion Dance:
The Lions!
Whew! The lion dance is finished….and after listening and watching the school's fireworks explode in the air it's time to go back inside where it's warm.
Ava and her friend Aleena have been working for several weeks on their Umbrella Dance. They've both been talking about it non-stop so here it is! (I'll upload the video next week so please do check back to view their dance!):
Very pretty & painted sun umbrellas:
Umbrella Dance for CNY 2016 from Astrid Breutzman on Vimeo.
Thank you Jen for taking the next few photos for me!
And here is a special treat I've not gotten to see before – a Face-Changing Sichuan Opera performer:
Who also happens to "breathe" fire!!!
This was such a cool and different and UNEXPECTED performance!!!
face-changing Sichuan Opera performer from Astrid Breutzman on Vimeo.
Ava and Aleena:
The grades 3-5 kids are now zig-zagging in the hustling and bustling Temple Fair. Lots of Chinese activities to watch and participate in – from paper-cutting to calligraphy and shadow puppets to special foods to games.
Ava called these sugar-y, fluffy, crispy pieces of fried dough "cat's ears".
Candied crabapples on a stick:
Various common Chinese foods:
Pile-o-dragons!
Paper cutting:
Calligraphy:
Jen sent me this pretty photo of Ava and her clay creation. Beautifully done!
The back entrance to IST (this is very typical of how many of our Chinese neighbors decorate their doors):
Check back here…I'll be posting photos of Ava participating in this year's Dragon Dance which closes the Temple Fair for 2016 and I'll also post the Umbrella Dance video some time next week.
ETA: Photos from the Grade 4 Dragon Dance in the IST gym in front of the entire school:
Annika is picking up the award for her class (7D) for Most Creative homeroom door in secondary school:
The yellow lion:
Red lion:
Out with Year of the Goat/Sheep (Chinese doesn't differentiate) and in with Year of the MONKEY!!!!!