Kung fu fighting monks to perform in Hastings

A group of kung fu fighting monks is to perform a free concert in Hastings on Wednesday 11 March

The monks hail from the Shaolin Monastery, the most famous temple in China. Shaolin is one of the four holy Buddhist temples of China and in addition to being the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, is the first temple to institutionalise kung fu.

Hastings District Councillor Kevin Watkins says “The monks are highly trained performers and their routine includes running, jumping, tumbling, dancing and ‘fighting’ with spears and swords, to intricately choreographed routines. These monks are the same group which performed at WoW in Wellington last year and at the NZ International Arts Festival in 2010. They will stop off in Hastings during a tour of Fiji, Samoa and major centres in New Zealand.”

Kevin Watkins says “This is a wonderful chance to showcase Chinese culture in the heart of Hastings. Other centres are charging upwards of $30 for the performance and it is through the generous support of the Chinese Embassy, the Chinese Association Hawke’s Bay Branch and Sport Hawke’s Bay that this event is free to attend in Hastings.”

“On the afternoon of Wednesday 11th March, the monks will visit attractions throughout the district including Te Mata Peak, Nga Pou o Heretaunga and they will lunch at the Chinese run Paritua vineyard at Bridge Pa.” Councillor Watkins says.

The kung fu fighting monks from Shaolin Monastery will perform a free concert on the grass area outside the Hastings City Art Gallery in Civic Square, at 6pm on Wednesday 11th March 2015.

The Art Gallery will open late on that evening to allow people to view the photo exhibition entitled Brian Brake: Lens on China and Japan.

The monks will hold workshops and perform at schools in Flaxmere and Hastings on Thursday 12th March.

Their visit is made possible with support from the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Association Hawke’s Bay Branch. The school’s workshops are supported by Sport Hawkes Bay.

Photo attached: Shao Lin Monks rehearsing at their temple ahead of their visit to New Zealand

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