It was a positive start to the Chinese New Year at Lan Yuan on Saturday night, as thousands of people attended to mark the Year of the Horse.<\/p>\n
Dunedin City Council museum and galleries director Cam McCracken said conditions were perfect for the evening, and a key example of how the community at large had embraced the Chinese community.<\/p>\n
“I think we shouldn\u2019t underestimate the power and symbolism and the importance of the sister-city relationship that Dunedin has for Shanghai.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s a really important relationship.<\/p>\n
“I think this evening is very close to the hearts of the Chinese community in Dunedin.”<\/p>\n
The event featured an introductory speech from Mayor Sophie Barker, performances, lion and dragon dances and food stalls, capped off with celebratory fireworks.<\/p>\n
The Year of the Horse began on February 17 and ends on February 5 next year.<\/p>\n
Courage, passion and a refusal to be confined are characteristics commonly associated with the horse.<\/p>\n
Mr McCracken said he was pleased with how the event showed synergies between Toit\u016b Otago Settlers Museum and Lan Yuan, in particular the display of Chinese lanterns at Toit\u016b this year.<\/p>\n
“There are a lot of staff who work in both the garden and at Toit\u016b, so having both work as part of the celebration was really great.”<\/p>\n
Dunedin Chinese Cultural Festival advisory board deputy chairman Peter Lee said, on numbers coming through to the food stalls and gardens alone, this would have been the “busiest ever”.<\/p>\n
“I think it\u2019s a credit to the council and the community: everyone did their part.”<\/p>\n