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Home / Whanganui Chronicle

Lanterns light up Whanganui riverbank for Chinese friendship celebration

Liz Wylie
Liz Wylie
Multimedia Journalist, Whanganui Chronicle·Whanganui Chronicle·
9 May, 2021 05:00 AM2 mins to read

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Crowds enjoyed watching live and screen performances and visiting the stalls at the festival. Photo / Lewis Gardener

Crowds enjoyed watching live and screen performances and visiting the stalls at the festival. Photo / Lewis Gardener

There may have been an autumn crispness in the Whanganui air but that did not prevent a crowd of around 500 from enjoying Lanterns on the Awa on Saturday. Chronicle photographer Lewis Gardner captured the illuminated riverside action as people gathered beneath the lanterns to enjoy a belated celebration of the Year of the Ox, which began in February.

Jan McLeod, of the China Friendship Society, joined UCOL campus manager Bronwyn Paul in organising the festival just five weeks ago and said it was testimony to the amount of goodwill in Whanganui that everything came together so well.

"Bronwyn couldn't be there on Saturday but I want to thank her for all the work she did and Kai Teng Lim of INC Creative has done amazing work," McLeod said.

"He contacted GJ Gardner who supplied the LED screen so everyone had a fantastic view of the wonderful performances. The food vendors reported back that they had a good night and were able to feed everyone adequately so it was a brilliant night."

McLeod said The Confucius Institute made a financial contribution via the Confucius classroom at Whanganui High School and a friend in China once again sent beautiful lanterns that were added to collections from previous years.

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"Spreading goodwill is what the China Friendship Society is all about so it was wonderful to see that in action," McLeod said.

Daylight gave way to the glow of lanterns along the Whanganui riverbank. Photo / Lewis Gardener
Daylight gave way to the glow of lanterns along the Whanganui riverbank. Photo / Lewis Gardener
Avery Vartha, 5, is caught in the candle glow as the Lanterns on the Awa festival begins. Photo / Lewis Gardener
Avery Vartha, 5, is caught in the candle glow as the Lanterns on the Awa festival begins. Photo / Lewis Gardener
Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall spoke about Whanganui's special relationship with Chinese sister city Lijiang. Photo / Lewis Gardener
Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall spoke about Whanganui's special relationship with Chinese sister city Lijiang. Photo / Lewis Gardener
Shirley McDouall School of Dance performed a special dance they had rehearsed for the festival. Photo / Lewis Gardener
Shirley McDouall School of Dance performed a special dance they had rehearsed for the festival. Photo / Lewis Gardener
Performers prepare to present the Lijiang Festive Dance at Lanterns on the Awa. Photo / Lewis Gardener
Performers prepare to present the Lijiang Festive Dance at Lanterns on the Awa. Photo / Lewis Gardener

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