The Dunedin Senior Chinese Association is combining a number of celebrations into one afternoon at Kavanagh College’s auditorium.
Association president Weidi Xu said the afternoon would celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, China National Day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and New Zealand.
Mrs Xu said the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival was as important as the Chinese New Year.
It was a time for all Chinese people across the world to celebrate and give each other mooncakes, which were made with red bean paste and egg yolk, she said.
The mooncakes had a round shape because at this time of year the moon was at its fullest.
The celebration would include traditional Chinese cultural performances such as fan dancing and song, and Consul General Madame He Ying would be visiting from Christchurch to attend the event.
Mrs Xu said because Dunedin was a very welcoming city, she wanted to share Chinese culture and customs as well as celebrate with the city and showcase a diversity of cultures.
Everyone was welcome to join in celebrating ethnic harmony and unity, regardless of ethnicity, she said.
The event would begin with a haka performed by the Kavanagh College kapa haka group.
Other groups taking part included the Dunedin Chinese Art/Instrument Association, the Otago University Chinese Students Association, Natyaloka School of Indian Dance, Pakistan Association of New Zealand, Kadodo West African Drum and Dance, Dunedin Tai Chi, Vidyadhara School of Dance and Abbotsford Kindergarten.
The event has been funded and supported by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and has the support of the Consulate General of China in Christchurch, Kavanagh College and the Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council.
- The Dunedin Senior Chinese Association 2022 Mid Autumn Festival, National Day and 50th Anniversary of China-NZ Relations Celebration starts at 1pm, Saturday, September 10 at Kavanagh College Auditorium.
Free admission.
