British city Liverpool to turn red to celebrate anniversary of twinning with Shanghai

LONDON - City Hall officials in Liverpool announced Tuesday a plan of three days of celebrations over Chinese New Year to mark the 20th anniversary of its twinning with Shanghai.

Theaters and other civic and landmark buildings in the city will be lit in red in homage to China, said Liverpool City Council.

The city's Year of the Pig festivities will start on February 8 with a focus on the traditional Chinese arch, which was gifted to the city by Shanghai twenty years ago as a symbol of the twinning relationship.

Events on Feb 8 and 9 will include lion dancing and street theater in and around the arch.

A unique projection and pyrotechnic show will be built up at the arch, and on surrounding buildings. Called The Quest for the Arch, projections follow the journey of a little girl and a pig from Shanghai to Liverpool. The soundtrack will provided by musician and composer Jah Wobble.

The Chinese arch street entertainment and pyrotechnic show will also take place on February 10.

Building up to Sunday's main day of celebrations on Feb 10, thousands of Chinese lanterns will from January 28 adorn city center streets and the Chinatown.

Buildings along Liverpool's famous waterfront as well as Liverpool Town Hall will turn red in homage to China. Local theaters and Liverpool World Museum which last year hosted a record-breaking exhibition of China's Terracotta Warriors, will also be lit up in red.

Liverpool Deputy Mayor Wendy Simon said: "This is a particularly special year as it marks the 20th anniversary of our twinning with Shanghai. This global friendship was built on historic trade links, and today we maintain a partnership with China which furthers investment and development for both parties.

"The projections will, literally, shine a light on the arch - a symbol of our friendship. It will undoubtedly be a wonderful few days and an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate our much-loved Chinese community."