3 September 2004

Moon festival returns for 2004

Continuing on from the success of 2003, the Waitakere Moon Festival returns to the New Lynn Community Centre on the 24th and 25th of September 2004 for another exciting event.

A celebration of the city’s rich diversity, the festival is a time of free fun and entertainment including kids activities, Chinese fortune-telling and free moon cakes. It provides a glimpse of another culture and promotes understanding across cultures.

Once again, the festival will feature lion dancing, Cantonese opera, sword dancing, lanterns, calligraphy, noodle-making, origami and traditional sweet-making.

Everyone is welcome at the 6pm opening ceremony on Friday night; however the food and craft market will be open from 5pm for dinner.

Saturday’s activities run from 10am to 3pm, including more performances, displays and the market.

The New Lynn Library will be offering Chinese face painting, Chinese lollies and storytelling.

The Asian cultures traditionally celebrate the new harvest moon during autumn-spring in New Zealand. It is an occasion for family and friends to gather and enjoy food, dance, music and festivities. Traditionally lanterns in all shapes and sizes are lit for children to play with.

The three stages of the celebration are the welcome, gazing and farewell of the moon.

Mooncakes are another important tradition of the moon festival and are believed to date back to the 14th century.

ENDS

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