Take a Leap

This photo essay forms part of a long-term project that follows the lion dance troupes based in London, exploring questions of heritage, identity, and belonging within the diaspora community.

It pursues second-generation Chinese performers as they participate in a tradition that dates back more than 2,000 years to the Western Han Dynasty. Once a cultural treasure of ancient China, lion dance has travelled across continents and centuries, becoming a living symbol of unity and celebration for communities worldwide.

In London, the tradition thrives in community halls and public squares. Many young performers may not speak Chinese fluently, yet through the leaps of the lion and the pulse of the drum, they find a connection to their roots.

The work follows them through the performance season, from the intensity of rehearsals to the rituals of preparation, the roar of the crowd, and the quiet relief that follows. At the centre is Trafalgar Square, home to Europe’s largest Chinese New Year parade, where lions leap into view before thousands.

Through these intimate glimpses, the story reflects on how traditional art forms endure and adapt, bridging generations and sparking cultural understanding beyond their origins. Lion dance in London is more than a spectacle. It is continuity, identity, and the living pulse of heritage renewed.