The Lunar New Year has ended for 2023, which was 15 days worth of eating, family reunions and red packets. 2023 is the year of the rabbit, which represents peace, longevity and prosperity. For the Vietnamese community it is the year of the cat!
In saying that, if you were in Sydney and enjoying some of the events which were put on by many community organisations and local councils, you may have come across a “Moon Lantern Trail Lanterns” at the Chatswood Twilight Lantern Parade, which formed part of Willoughby Council’s Lunar New Year celebrations.
For OzAsia Festival ( which is held in October each year), this is the first time their lanterns have done an interstate tour. Here are the lanterns which went on tour:
- Lion Dance
- Inu Hariko (Lucky Dog)
- Junk Ship
- Crane
- Moon
- Rabbit
Artistic Director for the OzAsia Festival Annette Shun Wah (who we have interviewed back in 2022) spoke about how these lanterns which have always been an Adelaide institution has now made its way to Sydney!
“The stunning OzAsia Festival lanterns have been part of Adelaide’s beloved Moon Lantern events since 2007. We’re so thrilled to share the magic of just a few of our large scale lanterns in the first Twilight Lantern Parade in Willoughby. Wishing you good health and happiness for the Lunar New Year!”
Check out the pictures of these lanterns!
Images provided
OZASIA FESTIVAL: OzAsia Festival is Australia’s leading contemporary arts festival engaging with Asia. It presents a bold and exciting line-up of boundary-pushing contemporary arts each year and is revered by audiences and critics alike. Held annually over three weeks in spring, OzAsia Festival showcases the best theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, food and cultural events from across Asia. Its extensive program has included artists from around the world, including countries such as Japan, Korea, China, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Iran, Latvia, Malaysia, Singapore, Syria, the United States, Israel, Thailand, the United Kingdom, France, The Philippines and Australia.
MOON LANTERN TRAIL: Moon Lantern Trail is a reimagined celebration of the traditions of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations from across Asia. Beautiful to explore during the day and truly spectacular at night, wander around Pinky Flat/Tarntanya Warna on the River Torrens/Karrawirra Pari and read stories about each lantern. Enjoy roving performances, puppetry, and live music, and join in at one of Moon Lantern Trail’s interactive workshops.