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Honesty, loyalty and good luck — these are just some of the traits people born during the Year of the Dog are said to exemplify, according to the Chinese zodiac.

Until Feb. 18, Chinese-Canadians in Calgary will be ushering in the Chinese New Year with a weekend of cultural festivities, including martial arts demonstrations, a market, traditional dances and much more.

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The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre will host free events open to all Calgarians on Feb. 17 and 18 to celebrate the Year of the Dog, which hasn’t come around since 2006.

“To the whole world the dog means loyalty, and in Chinese culture the dog is usually the one who watches the house to make sure nothing goes wrong,” said Tina Mao, manager of the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre. “The arrival of dog means also the arrival of good fortune.”

Starting Feb. 17 at 10 a.m., the centre will host a New Year market with upwards of 50 booths for shoppers to peruse and festival food featuring Chinese cuisine. There will also be a Chinese lantern display, musical performances throughout the day and a traditional Dragon and Lion Dance outside the centre.