While the City Council may take some time to assess the numbers, initial estimates suggest that a record number of people—somewhere in the tune of 40,000—attended Christchurch's lantern festival held over two days during the last weekend in North Hagley Park.
The festival featured lots of beautiful lanterns and more than 75 stall holders serving Chinese food, as well as performing martial arts demonstrations. This included Christchurch Culture Association, NZ Chinese Association Canterbury, Confucius Institute of the University of Canterbury, and NZ Hubei Economy Trade Culture Association. Buddha's Light International Association and International Buddhist Association were present too.
Supported by Asia New Zealand Foundation and Christchurch City Council, there were performances from local and Chinese artists including by Shanghai Puppet Theatre, Christchurch Zhonghua Chinese Society, Qixo Yi Lion Dance Team, Guangzhou Acrobatic Arts Theatre and Guangdong Traditional Music and Folk Art Troupe.
On the history of the lantern festival, the Asia New Zealand Foundation informs, “The Lantern Festival has been part of Chinese New Year celebrations since the Han Dynasty (206 BC- 221 AD) and marks the end of Chinese New Year festivities. The festival evolved from an ancient Chinese belief that celestial spirits could be seen flying about in the light of the first full moon of the lunar calendar. Thus, people started using lanterns of every shape, size and colour to aid them in spotting the spirits. Some are created in the form of animals, insects, flowers while other depict scenes from popular stories teaching filial piety and traditional values.”