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Chinese culture show to burnish New Zealand Lantern Festival event

Xinhua, February 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

A host of Chinese artists and entertainers are gathering in Auckland over the next fortnight for New Zealand's biggest celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The Auckland Lantern Festival, which includes China's Ministry of Culture and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office among its sponsors, would boast a stunning line-up when it opened on Feb. 26, organizers said Wednesday.

Organized by Auckland Council in partnership with the Asia New Zealand Foundation, the four-day festival would include Chinese art, music, martial arts, puppeteers and a traditional Chinese " farmer painter."

Asia New Zealand Foundation chairman John Luxton said the Auckland Lantern Festival celebrated the numerous contributions Chinese New Zealanders had made to New Zealand and provided a great cultural experience for all people to enjoy.

"We're proud to have been a partner of the Auckland Lantern Festival since the very first event in 2000, and over the years we 've facilitated the attendance of hundreds of performers from China for visitors to enjoy," Luxton said in a statement.

This year's festival would also mark special anniversaries between Auckland and two of its Chinese sister cities: the 20th anniversary with Ningbo and the 25th anniversary with Guangzhou.

China's first reggae band, Long Shen Dao, who first appeared at the event in 2012, would return to headline this year's festival, Auckland Lantern Festival event producer Eric Ngan said.

"This year's program has great contrasts -- from high-energy bands to the more traditional acts incorporating ancient Chinese traditions," said Ngan.

Other highlights of the festival program included displays by some of China's best young wushu (kung fu) students from the Shangwen Martial Arts Academy in Shanghai and performances by the award-winning Guangdong Puppet Art Theater.

Popular Shanghai farmer painter Lu Yongzhong would demonstrate his traditional painting techniques to visitors.

The festival, which would be focused in and around central Auckland's Albert Park, would end on March 1 with a spectacular fireworks finale. Endi