The Lunar New Year started on January 31st. This is the Chinese Year of the Horse. Following the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival is held the first weekend after the full moon. Auckland is hosting the Lantern Festival in Albert Park, with outdoor movies on Queens Wharf. Next weekend, the Festival will be held in Hagley Park in Christchurch with the same international performers.
The lanterns are made in Zigong, Sichuan province, with many new ones each year.
There are also kites from Weifang, the famous Chinese city of kites. There are kite makers to demonstrate how to make kites that are beautiful and will fly well.
There are international as well as local performers. Performances include a heavy metal band called Tang Dynasty, drummers from Shanghai, a female musical group, martial arts, dance and music. There are dozens of food stalls so people can eat while watching performances.
Fireworks from Sky City will end the event in Auckland tomorrow evening.
Listen to February 6th 2012 and January 26th 2009 to hear more about celebrating the Lunar New Year in New Zealand.
Vocabulary
- lunar (adj) – moon
- host ( n) – opposite of guest; to host (v) – to organize the event