Lantern Festival lights up the sky
They say all you need is a little bit of luck, but what if you could find luck, love and lanterns in one place? Those of us, who attended Auckland’s annual Chinese lantern festival, had a chance to grab all three.
Albert Park, in the central city was decked up in lanterns of all shapes and sizes, including swans, roses, animals and traditional red and gold lanterns, all hanging from the trees like giant fairy lights.
Dragons floated in the water fountain, whilst children had a cup of tea with their grandparents, and the warriors stood strong; the displays were simply admirable, giving an insight into daily life in China, telling a story worth capturing.
One of the best attractions people noted was the street food; satay chicken, watermelon ice cream, rice cakes, dumplings and more.
Queen’s Wharf was also included in the festivities as activities for children such as sand painting and movies were held there. Whilst a silk bamboo band, drums and the lion dance were performed at the park.
The Lantern Festival is always celebrated on the first full moon following the Chinese New Year. This year it was held on the 13th of February through till the 16th.
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) have always organised this event in partnership with The Asia New Zealand Foundation since its introduction in 2000.
Also, the festival is commonly known as Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day, Yuan Xiao Jie, as young couples unite under the light of the lanterns. Couples here could also roam around the park as the timing of the festival coincided perfectly.
And it’s The Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac, which celebrates; energy, victory and adventure. People born into this zodiac are witty, elegant and charming, much like the festival itself!
Although the real beauty of the Lantern Festival was truly the magical hand crafted Lanterns, which emitted a wonderful light over the whole park, almost as if you’re walking the streets of Beijing at night.
AUT student, Faiza Shaheen says it was her very first time visiting the festival and she loved every bit of it, as she got to spend quality time with her family and also learn about a whole different culture coming from the same continent.
However 28-year-old Abhishek Jaisawal, found it divided, as there were far too many options to choose from, such as which stall to buy food from or following the different pathways lit up by lanterns.
“I regretted not carrying around enough cash, as there were too many options to choose from,” he says. “And being a chef, there was plenty of good food to appreciate too.”
And adding the city’s own tradition to it, The Sky Tower lit up the city further with a grand scale display of fireworks, to bring the festival to an end on Sunday.
But the festival will continue on in another corner of the woods, in Hagley Park North, Christchurch, spreading the luck, love and joy of lanterns.
They say all you need is a little bit of luck, but what if you could find luck, love and lanterns in one place? Those of us, who attended Auckland’s annual Chinese lantern festival, had a chance to grab all three. Albert Park, in the central city was decked up in lanterns of all shapes and...
They say all you need is a little bit of luck, but what if you could find luck, love and lanterns in one place? Those of us, who attended Auckland’s annual Chinese lantern festival, had a chance to grab all three.
Albert Park, in the central city was decked up in lanterns of all shapes and sizes, including swans, roses, animals and traditional red and gold lanterns, all hanging from the trees like giant fairy lights.
Dragons floated in the water fountain, whilst children had a cup of tea with their grandparents, and the warriors stood strong; the displays were simply admirable, giving an insight into daily life in China, telling a story worth capturing.
One of the best attractions people noted was the street food; satay chicken, watermelon ice cream, rice cakes, dumplings and more.
Queen’s Wharf was also included in the festivities as activities for children such as sand painting and movies were held there. Whilst a silk bamboo band, drums and the lion dance were performed at the park.
The Lantern Festival is always celebrated on the first full moon following the Chinese New Year. This year it was held on the 13th of February through till the 16th.
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) have always organised this event in partnership with The Asia New Zealand Foundation since its introduction in 2000.
Also, the festival is commonly known as Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day, Yuan Xiao Jie, as young couples unite under the light of the lanterns. Couples here could also roam around the park as the timing of the festival coincided perfectly.
And it’s The Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac, which celebrates; energy, victory and adventure. People born into this zodiac are witty, elegant and charming, much like the festival itself!
Although the real beauty of the Lantern Festival was truly the magical hand crafted Lanterns, which emitted a wonderful light over the whole park, almost as if you’re walking the streets of Beijing at night.
AUT student, Faiza Shaheen says it was her very first time visiting the festival and she loved every bit of it, as she got to spend quality time with her family and also learn about a whole different culture coming from the same continent.
However 28-year-old Abhishek Jaisawal, found it divided, as there were far too many options to choose from, such as which stall to buy food from or following the different pathways lit up by lanterns.
“I regretted not carrying around enough cash, as there were too many options to choose from,” he says. “And being a chef, there was plenty of good food to appreciate too.”
And adding the city’s own tradition to it, The Sky Tower lit up the city further with a grand scale display of fireworks, to bring the festival to an end on Sunday.
But the festival will continue on in another corner of the woods, in Hagley Park North, Christchurch, spreading the luck, love and joy of lanterns.
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