Lantern Festival to light up Hagley Park

15 November 2011

Christchurch will once again glow with hundreds of vibrantly coloured lanterns as the city’s Lantern Festival is reborn in the Year of the Dragon.

Organisers want to hear from stallholders and local performers for the 7th Christchurch Lantern Festival, which will be held on Saturday February 11 and Sunday February 12 2012 at Carlton Corner, Hagley Park North.

Asia New Zealand Foundation director of culture Jennifer King says Cantabrians have embraced the festival since the foundation organised the first Christchurch one in 2005.  Up to 50,000 people packed Victoria Square, the site of previous festivals. 

“The February 22 earthquake meant we were sadly not able to hold the scheduled festival in Christchurch this year.  We’re looking forward to returning to the city next year. 

“We’re hoping for record crowds at our new and bigger venue at Carlton Corner. Parking will be available onsite, so bring all the family and enjoy a picnic on the grass. As usual, there will be plenty of delicious Asian food to choose from.”

Each festival features spectacular new lanterns created for Christchurch and made in Zigong, in the Chinese province of Sichuan. This year’s display includes a giant dragon commissioned by the Christchurch Casino to celebrate the Year of the Dragon - considered the most auspicious animal in the Chinese Zodiac.  People born in dragon years – 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988 and 2000 – are said to be charismatic, ambitious and willing to take risks. 

The festival features both traditional and contemporary performers from China, including Beijing-based Long Shen Dao (way of the dragon spirit), considered China’s best reggae band.  Other performers include the Shanghai Dragon and Lion Dance Group and the Taizhou Luantan Troupe from Zhejiang province, which will perform a Southern Chinese opera style mingled with acrobatics.

The Lantern Festival is traditionally held on the 15th day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.  The Christchurch Lantern Festival is brought to you by Asia New Zealand Foundation (Asia:NZ) with support from Christchurch City Council, core sponsor HSBC, and others.  Asia:NZ is a non-profit, non-political organisation dedicated to building New Zealand’s links with Asia.

To register your interest in being a stallholder or performer, contact:
Catherine Lister
Full Moon NZ Ltd – Festivals and Events
021 430 351
fullmoonnzltd@xtra.co.nz

For more information, contact:
John Saunders
Asia New Zealand Foundation Director, Communications
Telephone: 64 4 470 8706
Mobile: 021 631 663
Email: jsaunders@asianz.org.nz