The inland city of Bendigo was once famous for its gold fields. Today the gold is in tourism, and one of the biggest draw cards is the Bendigo Easter Festival Parade. While there's a lot to feast your eyes upon. The clear star, is Sun Loong, at an astounding 100 meters in length, he's the longest imperial dragon in the world. Every year with much pomp and ceremony he is awakened from his slumbers at the Golden Dragon Museum. It takes 52 people to bring this dragon to life. Shaking his bejeweled head and rattling his scales, he is showing off his magnificence, Anita Jack, the Museum General Manager shares her knowledge of Sun Loong. [Anita Jack, Museum General Manager]: "So why I refer to him as a Bendigo dragon is the people of Bendigo say, ‘come and see our dragon. Come and see Sun Loong.' So it's not the Bendigo Chinese Association dragon it's the entire community here in Bendigo." Sun Loong is covered in 4,500 scales, 90,000 mirrors, and 30,000 beads and his head is a weighty 29kg. [Doug Lougoon, Sun Loong Coordinator]: "It is a family tradition basically the involvement with the Chinese Association goes back to my grandfather's time when he first came to Bendigo many, many years ago over 100 years ago so it has carried on down through the family." Sun Loong enjoys the adulation of the cheering crowd. Over 200,000 people line the streets today. Carrying Sun Loong's head is an honor bestowed on few. [David Hui Tong, No. 1 Head Carrier]: "It's a great honor. It's a thing you are brought up to, to look forward to. You start in the Lion team and you do the martial arts in the old way and the old traditions and everything like that. You visit the elders and you come up through the ranks. You don't just get on the head, you have to earn your place on it." Let's hear what the legs of the dragon have to say. [James Roberts, First Leg Man]: "It is like a symbol of Bendigo, when you hear them all go nuts when you are underneath as you are running along side. Everyone just loves it. And you see the light in the kids eyes when they see something that big covered in mirrors and ribbons and stuff." Sun Loong holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Bendigo. [James Roberts, First Leg Man]: "It brings a lot of joy, he is joyful. He works only one day a year. He has a good way of life. But I love being underneath it. I was enthralled by it as a kid, so I love being underneath it." [Ian Dallas, Second Leg Man]: "I've carried Sun Loong five or six times. And what brings you back is the buzz as you come past the crowds, the excitement. And the kids clapping, and wanting to touch the dragon. And such a great reception. I think there is a great fondness for Sun Loong in the Bendigo community." The lions are mystical creatures and the lion dance is symbolic of giving out the blessings of heaven to the whole community. They also act as guardians of the dragon. Melissa Koh is one of the lion dancers and she finds it both exhausting and exhilarating. [Melissa Koh, Lion Dancer]: "It is tiring and exciting." At the closing ceremony, to scare away any evil spirits, there is much banging of drums, clanging of cymbals and noisy firecrackers being let off. But here is one spectator who is not scared of the lions or the dragons. Sun Loong goes backwards into his home to rest for another year, secure in the knowledge that he has again touched the hearts of the people of Bendigo. Perhaps to dream of harmony and freedom for the Chinese people. Leigh Smith, NTD, Melbourne, Australia.
Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: April 26, 2009 at 3:23 am
Author: NTDTV
Length: 03:29
Rating: 4.3333335
Views: 1039
Tags: ntd ntdtv news dragon bendigo sun loong imperial melbourne festival greets lion great museum chinese being community man
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