Post COVID-19 cultural event in New Zealand features Chinese, Maori arts and performances
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E-mail Xinhua, July 19, 2020
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The first major public cultural event in New Zealand's Auckland after COVID-19 lockdown showcasing both Maori and Chinese arts and performance was warmly welcomed by community members and audiences on Sunday.
The Matariki (Maori New Year)-Chinese Multi-Cultural Festival, the first of its kind supported by local government and multiple community organizations, had attracted several hundred people in Auckland.
Being the first major public cultural event in Auckland after COVID-19 lockdown, people spent an unrestricted afternoon enjoying cultural performances and art exhibitions that showcased Maori and Chinese cultures.
Blessed by the Maori tribe leader Matua Ngaro Pita for the auspicious Matariki, the event started with a Maori Haka dance and a Chinese dragon dance.
New Zealand Ethnic Communities Minister Jenny Salesa and Chinese Consul General in Auckland Ruan Ping jointly dotted the eye of the dragons for the event. They also joined the public in learning the performing techniques from traditional Chinese shadow play artists.
Traditional dances by the Auckland-based Chinese community members, multi-cultural performances featuring various ethnic groups in New Zealand, painting and calligraphy art exhibitions, paper-cutting, shadow playing and traditional Maori and Chinese food have all contributed to a tasteful multi-cultural gathering that many Aucklanders have been longed for in the post COVID-19 recovery.
Jackson Rao, Chairman of New Zealand Culture and Arts Foundation said he was proud to host the event, which played an important role in uniting the multi-cultural New Zealand society during the post COVID-19 recovery.
Rao's foundation aims to be a bridge for bringing together ethnic groups in New Zealand and promoting culture understanding.
"Matariki Maori New Year brings new life and hope. It also brings opportunity for people across New Zealand with various culture backgrounds to communicate with each other and to know more about each other's culture. This event is aimed to bring together the Maori and Chinese culture as well as to promote ethic harmony in New Zealand," said Rao. Enditem
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