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Magic of the oriental lantern prepares to dazzle Birmingham and Leeds

Xinhua, November 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Stunning Magical Lantern Festivals are to debut in two of Britain's major cities this week, bringing the magic of the Orient to the English provinces.

Following a successful launch in London earlier this year to coincide with Chinese New Year, the lantern festivals are being held for the first time in Britain's second biggest city, Birmingham and Leeds, capital city of Yorkshire in northern England.

Organisers and creators, London-based Weli Creative, are convinced both events will attract thousands of visitors, showcasing a tradition that in China dates back centuries. They believe their lantern festivals can even rival Britain's traditional light show, the iconic Blackpool Illuminations.

The lantern festivals both open on November 25 and continue until Jan. 2, 2017 at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham and Roundhay Park in Leeds, Europe's largest city park.

With official backing from official bodies in both cities, the events will see stunning features, including a lantern trail using lanterns designed in China. They will feature bamboo pandas, grasshoppers, birdcages and pagodas.

Visitors will enter the festival through a giant lantern entrance before embarking on a fascinating journey through gardens uncovering stunning lanterns in all shapes, colors and sizes.

And as the events take place in the run up to Christmas there will be a festive grotto featuring Father Christmas, reindeers and snowmen, as well as penguins.

A spokesman for London-based Weli Creative said: "Our Magical Lantern Festival welcomed more than 110,000 visitors in London and is ready to light up Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Roundhay Park in Leeds for the first time during this Christmas and upcoming Chinese New Year."

"Visitors will see some of the most artistic and beautifully constructed lantern installations outside of China. The lanterns represent and celebrate Christmas and Chinese culture and heritage."

Yan Xiang, creative director, said: "Most of the lanterns have been made in my home town in China. The mission of Weli Creative is to increase the cultural exchange of values and customs between China and the UK. We are looking forward to our festivals in Birmingham and Leeds." Endit