BLIA Participating Christchurch Lantern Festival

The Christchurch Lantern Festival, an outdoor event had returns to Christchurch, New Zealand on 18th and 19th February, 2017. The event were held at Hagley Park with large variety of cultural event such as Asian food stall, multicultural performances and Spark Summer Concert for public participation which marks the end of Chinese New Year festivities. Due to the recent reopening of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island temple, (FGS) South Island and Buddhist Light International Association (BLIA) South Island had decided to participate in the event again with amazing food and cultural relics serving the public.

Unfortunately due to the wet weather, Lantern Festival organiser had announced that the event was cancelled for Saturday 18 February. Great news was the event will commence from 1pm to late night at 10pm on Sunday 19 February. BLIA had accepted the challenges upon these circumstances of change. BLIA team filled with courage to face the challenges, provided the best attitudes and their marathon spirit in serving the food to the public.

In this special year, BLIA South Island member had serves huge varieties of delicious vegetarian food as well as promoting lucky wind chimes for fund raising on ANZBYC event which will be held later of the year. Lantern Festival had offered lots of exciting performances for public enjoyment such as wonderful lantern display, huge varieties of Asian foods as well as amazing traditional Chinese cultural performances.

FGS and BLIA member with the encouragement from Venerable Jue Xi, had presented the best food and customer service to the public. They were well organised in packing and restoring the venue that exemplify their team spirit. BLIA expressed that the wet weather happened timely to rescue the fire at Port Hills, Christchurch even though it had affected the income for the event. However, the fire had extinguished earlier for the unfortunate residence to return to the home as soon as possible.