"
Watch out, it's going to fall!
On every sidewalk, lion and dragon heads, stacked on a wheeled wooden pallet, totter.
Under flakes of melted snow, the dancers of the Paris Lion Sport association go to their last training before D-Day, flanked by carts carrying sets and costumes.
Preparations are accelerating this Thursday, January 19;
the Chinese New Year parade is in ten days.
The 13th arrondissement of the capital is also active: the district turns red, a color synonymous with good luck, during the Chinese New Year.
Lanterns and banners displaying "
Happy New Year
" hang over the convoy, attracting the attention of local residents.
The dancers of the Paris Lion Sport association go to their last training before the parade, flanked by a trolley carrying costumes and sets, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
Clara Hidalgo
“The parade will revive the 13th”
After two years of absence, the parade of this traditional Asian festival is making a comeback on the avenue de Choisy, next Sunday January 29th.
Something to delight residents, enthusiastic about the idea of seeing their neighborhood come back to life after the health crisis.
The New Year's festivities are rich in symbols and span fifteen days, starting on the first day of the year (January 22 in 2023, editor's note).
The goal is to bring posterity, happiness, work and health to the Asian community.
Read alsoTraditional or luxury version: two ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in Paris
Many Parisians, living outside the 13th, do not intend to miss the meeting.
This is the case of Évelyne, a young retiree living in the neighboring borough, who attends the parade every year with two friends.
"
We love everything related to Asia
," she smiles.
When we parade, it's as if the street belonged to us.
Everyone looks at us, joy in their eyes, so we let go.
Vincent Duc, president of the Paris Lion Sport association
The impatience is also felt among the team of dancers.
"
This is the moment we've all been waiting for,
" rejoices Vincent Duc, president of the association.
It will revive the 13th
”.
For Oriane, a 22-year-old lion dancer, "
this festive charm was missing
".
But those who are most impatient are the last to arrive.
Guillaume, Valentin and Édouard joined the troupe during the Covid-19 crisis.
They were already thinking of marching last year, but their childhood dream flew away when the event was canceled “
at the last minute
”.
“
We were very disappointed
”, breathes one of them.
Guillaume, Valentin and Édouard, young dancers aged 16 and 17, will take part in the parade for the first time in the 13th arrondissement of Paris on January 29.
Clara Hidalgo
Although the parade is a "
big event
" because "
it closes a year of intensive training
", none of the dancers say they are stressed.
"
We are here to enjoy
," says Guillaume.
“
When we parade, it's as if the street belonged to us.
Everyone looks at us with joy in their eyes, so we let go of everything
, ”says Vincent, with a smile on his face.
Dance inspired by a Chinese legend
Moreover, the atmosphere is friendly in the underground car park where the rehearsal takes place.
Laughter burst out during the installation of the decorations.
"
We're like a family
," describes Oriane with her proud gaze fixed on the group.
The pressure is felt more "
for the international competition next April in Malaysia
", admits the young woman.
Read alsoChinese New Year: the menus to be delivered to celebrate it in Paris
The professionals being sufficiently prepared for the parade on January 29, this training is therefore devoted to the preparation of the competition.
They will present a so-called "
traditional
" course on benches - as opposed to the "
more contemporary
" course, on posts.
It depicts a lion climbing a mountain to feed on a lettuce leaf, which is supposed to bring luck.
On the top stands the dragon, "
more powerful
".
"
When it reaches its feet, the lion must pray as a token of respect
", explains Florent, treasurer and dancer in the association.
But beware, neither the lion nor the leaf must fall, he warns, it is a serious dishonor that requires starting all over again.
The lion, interpreted by two dancers, prays in front of the dragon, during training for the Paris Lion Sport association.
Clara Hidalgo
Everything takes place against a background of percussion.
According to a legend from Chinese mythology, a monster called “
Nian
” living in the mountains came out every New Year to attack men.
"
To scare away the beast sensitive to strident noises, the villagers would have played percussion on saucepans
", says Oriane.
This ancestral tradition is perpetuated in the route of the parade, to chase away evil spirits.
Vivien, 20, and Vincent, 30, put on this costume every week to perform the lion dance.
Clara Hidalgo
It is their school in Malaysia that teaches the legends and practice of the lion dance to these young dancers.
Each year, all make the trip to Asia in September.
The trip is also an opportunity to buy costumes, made on site by their official supplier.
The price of a lion's head can go up to 800 euros, reports Florent.
For the return of the parade this year, "
we are bringing out two dragons and five lions
", he proudly announces.
An appetizer of the parade in the 13th
While waiting for the day of the parade, the dancers were able to warm up on Monday, January 23.
Like every year, they participated in the Chinese New Year parade in Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in the 8th arrondissement.
The dragon, the two lions and the percussion charmed and fascinated passers-by.
Regulars and tourists mingled in the public of the luxurious streets of Paris, decorated for the parade.
The mascot, representing the year of the rabbit, greets young girls from India passing through Paris, under the tender eyes of passers-by, Monday, January 23.
Clara Hidalgo
For nearly two hours they followed the procession, the phone suspended in their hands to film the smallest details of the dances and costumes.
Smiles could be read on the faces of young and old alike.
“
It's a good opportunity to take a walk
,” says Sylvie, in her sixties, happy to introduce a friend to the parade.
As usual, the mayor of the borough, Jeanne d'Hauteserre, wanted to greet the troupe of young acrobats.
The mayor of the 8th arrondissement of Paris, Jeanne d'Hauteserre (on the left), poses proudly with the lions and dragons, at the end of the parade, Monday January 23.
Clara Hidalgo
Read alsoChinese New Year: get rich by eating dumplings!
As soon as the parade is over, the group is already busy packing up.
Head to the 13th for a short break before the next performance on the Champs-Élysées.
New Year's week is the busiest of the year.
The dancers fold the flags and carefully arrange the costumes in front of the public, who no longer take their eyes off them.
A great preview of next Sunday's parade.
