Awakening the beasts at eye-dotting ceremony
SOME 2,000 runners who took part in the “EveryMove Run” organised by Penang Forward Sports Club enjoyed an early Chinese New Year treat, thanks to vibrant lion and dragon dance performances at BSG The Galleria in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah.

There was also an eye-dotting ceremony to awaken and give life to the lion and dragon by VVIPs at the event.

The eye-dotting ceremony involves placing a symbolic red dot on the eyes.

According to Chinese culture, the ritual is to empower the lion or dragon to fulfil its duty of bringing about protection, good luck, health and prosperity to those present.

Dragon dancers keep the audience glued as they move beautifully in unison.

The eyes also reflect the spirit and thus, the last step before the creatures come alive is for their eyes to be dotted.

Strings of firecrackers were also let off as a sign of prosperity in welcoming the Year of the Dragon.

Club chairman Lim Choo Hooi said the 5km fun run was a monthly event organised for members, and this time around an additional programme was held to mark the festive season.

“The eye-dotting ceremony was held to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year and this added an air of festivity to the whole event,” said Lim, who also thanked the state and sponsors for their support in making the event a success.

The performance began with four prancing lions moving to the sound of banging drums and cymbals.

The lion dance performers put on a spectacular show by jumping from one stilt to another.

As the lions got into an acrobatic frenzy with the quickening of the drums, they drew loud cheers from the crowd with many of the guests holding up their mobile phones to catch the beasts in action.

The dragon dance came next with performers rhythmically manipulating a long flexible giant dragon using poles positioned at regular intervals along its length.

The crowd watched in awe as the performers skilfully balanced the dragon on the poles moving in a wave-like pattern.

Both the performances, which took nearly two hours, was made possible by Penang Forward Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe.

The God of Prosperity was also seen going around mingling and distributing mandarin oranges to the crowd while a lucky draw was held for runners at the end of the event.

State youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi represented Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the event.

Also present were China Consul-General in Penang Zhou Yubin, Thai Consul-General in Penang Raschada Jiwalai, Penang Chinese Town Hall chairman Tan Sri Tan Khoon Hai and the club’s advisors Datuk Tom Khoo and Datuk Ong Thor Guan.
SOME 2,000 runners who took part in the “EveryMove Run” organised by Penang Forward Sports Club enjoyed an early Chinese New Year treat, thanks to vibrant lion and dragon dance performances at BSG The Galleria in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah.