AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Auckland Lantern Festival, a much-anticipated event on hold since 2020 due to COVID-19 and flooding, made a triumphant return on Thursday night.

The festival, held at the South Auckland venue of Manukau Sports Bowl, attracted thousands of visitors from home and abroad and will run for four days.

The festival was graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including local indigenous Maori leaders, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, opposition leader Chris Hipkins, Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson, and Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong. All gave keynote speeches, marking the significance of this cultural event.

"Tonight is the opportunity for us to acknowledge not only the Year of Dragon but also the contribution for over 150 years of the Chinese community here to New Zealand," said Luxon.

"Today is also the opportunity for us to say 'thank you' and to honor the Chinese community. You have made such a big contribution to New Zealand. You have made the country so much richer and better economically, socially, and culturally because you are a strong, passionate, vibrant community that's brought so much to the country," said the prime minister.

"The dragon is a symbol of auspiciousness, wisdom and strength, indicating that this year will be a year of good fortune and vitality. May the high-flying dragon bring good luck to all of us. May it also bring a brighter future for both New Zealand and China, an ever closer and stronger relationship between the two countries, and a prosperous and peaceful world!" said Wang.

The opening ceremony also featured Lion and Dragon dances and cultural performances. The highlight of the ceremony was a brand-new dragon lantern 30 meters long and four meters high, bursting out with fire flames and captivating the audience with its grandeur.

At the Lantern Festival, visitors were treated to over 500 handmade lanterns in different shapes and styles, illuminating the night with a warm and festive glow. The festival also offered food stalls, retail stalls, a culture courtyard, and playgrounds, providing entertainment for all ages.

A resident from a nearby suburb Manurewa Raiha Tango was a "dragon" born in 2000. She was wearing red clothes and taking photos of the dragon dances. She and her family just had dumplings and pork buns.

"I think the festival is beautiful and this year is even better. I know that the Year of Dragon is my birth year, and I was like, why don't I just wear something red and taste all the yummy food," said Tango.

Nicolas Palazuelos was a visitor from the United States. He was wearing a dragon-style cartoon hat bought from a souvenir stall. Visiting New Zealand for one month, Palazuelos put the Auckland Lantern Festival as his must-go destination. "It is great fun for our family and kids," said Palazuelos.

At the food stalls, queues were building for all the cultural delicacies such as lamb kababs, dumplings, roasted chestnuts and traditional desserts. Even the air is filled with mouthwatering aroma. One of the food stall owners told Xinhua that they had prepared 20,000 dumplings for the event, and they were almost sold out at just 9 p.m. on the first day, indicating the high turnout and enthusiasm of the attendees.

This year's Auckland Lantern Festival marks its 21st year. There will be fireworks on Sunday night. The 30-meter dragon lantern on display was made by the Federation of Chinese Associations in New Zealand and the China Culture Center. The Auckland Harbour Bridge also showcases a dragon-themed cartoon light display for six nights from Tuesday to Sunday to celebrate the Lantern Festival. Enditem

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