2000 Visitors Joined the 2023 Chocolatte International Food Festival
Fo Guang Shan Christchurch with Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) South Island held the 2023 Chocolatte International Food Festival on June 24th 2023. This was the fourth year of the event. Although the weather forecast was that the day of the event would be cloudy and rainy but thanks to the blessings of the Bodhisattvas the event was held as scheduled. More than 2,000 people from Christchurch braved the cold of around ten degrees Celsius to participate in the event.
Venerable Manshin, the Abbess of FGS New Zealand led a total of 50 volunteers of BLIAs North and South Island to serve, injecting warmth during a cold winter. Less than an hour after the event started, more than 700 people had walked into the Temple and by 12pm, the number had reached more than 1,000. Christchurch City Councillors Mark Peter of Hornby District and Tyla Harrison-Hunt of Riccarton District came to show their support, and they were amazed to see so many local residents appearing at a Buddhist Temple to participate in a Festival.
There were many exciting activities on that day. With various western desserts such as chocolate, cake, coffee etc. There were also live demonstrations by local artists, singing performances by the Christchurch City Choir and live performances by the Canterbury Accordion Association etc.
Shi Yuankai, the judge of the famous New Zealand’s Latte Art Competition, introduced the rich varieties of coffee to the public. Balloon art teacher Alan create colourful balloon shapes for the children. In the Buddha Hall, visitors were calm their mind through sutra transcription and making light offering. Moreover, Artist Leonore Ashby demonstrated live demo copper wire art and artist Kyra Weir shared her painting creation with the public.
There were food stalls from different countries such as Japanese sushi, Moroccan cuisine, and Korean cuisine. There were also famous locals’ favourites stalls such as SHE chocolates, Cocoa Trader and Pana Soap etc.
A total of nearly 1,700 copies of the Wise Words of Venerable Master Hsing Yun were distributed. Some visitors found it very inspiring after reading it and they had even taken more than a single copy before leaving. They were happy to learn from the wisdom of the Master. More than a thousand blessings apples and pencils specially made by the Temple were also distributed.
The visitors to the event were full of joy and thanked FGS Christchurch and BLIA South Island for their hard work in organizing the event, injecting warmth into the cold winter, and at the same time connecting with the community and boost the market economy. After establishing a good reputation for the Chocolatte Festival since years, the public expects FGS to continue organising the event yearly in order to enable them to meet one another at FGS Temple South Island every winter!