Moon Lantern Festival 2014

by Dave Walsh (subscribe)

Event: 08/09/2014

The Moon Lantern Festival is a modern celebration based on an ancient Chinese tradition - a mid autumn festival celebrating the harvest. This free event in Adelaide has become a major part of the OzAsia Festival, and is held each year in Elder Park.

The OzAsia Festival is a leading Australian cultural event that celebrates our relationship with Asia, and its rich culture of arts, food, and tradition. This year it will focus on Adelaide's sister city, Shandong Province in China.

The mid autumn festival traditionally includes three parts

Because the OzAsia Festival celebrations embrace all parts of Asia, the Moon Lantern Festival includes a blend of traditions and influences from the region. It starts at 3pm on Monday September 8 with regional food and market stalls scattered around Elder Park to tempt you to enjoy Asian food and culture. It's a good idea to come hungry, as you're bound to find some very tasty regional cuisine to try here at the market stalls.



Workshops and diverse performances are scheduled to provide free family entertainment throughout the afternoon.Self defence demonstrations by the Adelaide Wing Chun Academy and Southside Muay Thai will complement a Filipino martial arts exhibition, with some emphasis on martial arts for women and kids too. If you'd like something less aggressive, take a look at the Tai Chi demonstrations or try the elusive art of handkerchief spinning.

Learn how to make Cantonese wonton - shrimp filled wonton within minced pork, or try your hand at the ancient art of caligraphy (Japanese or Chinese) in one of the afternoon workshops.

On a more spiritual note, find out about traditional horoscope reading, the art of bonsai, or attend a Chinese tea making ceremony.

The Moon Lantern Festival 2014 is a free event for all the family, and there will be performances and activities for kids throughout the afternoon. Over 50 organisations representing countries throughout the Asian region are participating in the Moon Lantern Festival this year, and children from ten schools around South Australia are playing their part too.



At dusk is one of the highlights of the day, a colourful moon lantern parade with hundreds of beautifully crafted flickering lanterns casting an eerie light around Elder Park under the full moon. It is followed by an awesome fireworks spectacular on the River Torrens that will delight all the family, with the festival finishing at 8.30.

For more information see the Moon Lantern Festival web page at the Adelaide Festival Centre site.

If you're keen to take part by bringing your own moon lantern, you can find easy to follow instructions at this website. You only need a few items that are easily found around the house, and kids will love to get involved and help too. Use an electric pillar candle to stay safe and avoid any fire risks, and finish it with lots of colour. Have fun!

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Why? It's a fantastic free event with family entertainment

When: 3pm - 8.30pm

Website: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/ozasia-festival/shows/moon-lantern-festival

Where: Elder Park, Adelaide

Cost: Free

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