Everyone an Artist Trust
Photo taken by Roy
Hooray!!! What a big day at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora on 6 May 2023. The first Asian Arts Festival in Christchurch New Zealand achieved great success.
The crowds of people coming on site enjoyed the cultural performances, children's free activities, delicious Asian food and beautiful Asian Art. They were so impressed by everything at the North Quad and the Great Hall.
The UC Gamelan Ensemble was the very first performance at the Great Hall, playing eye-catching Balinese Gamelan music, which attracted everyone's attention as soon as they set all instruments on the stage.
Photo taken by Roy
The TAKUMI Canterbury Japanese Drumming Group started the outdoor performances at 1 o'clock and all were so impressed by their professional drumming skills, which makes the sound echo over the sky above the heritage buildings.
It's many people's first time to see the Kazakhstan performance here in Christchurch. Their voices were so charming and beautiful that no one turned around because they didn't want to miss any part of it.
Photo taken by Roy
The Simurgh Music School presented featured Persian songs that were one of the most impressive parts of the programmes on Saturday. Some local artists were also talking about the artists' talent and voice. It's just fabulous.
The Bangla Dance Group performed by Bangladesh and Indian dancers demonstrated a traditional Bangladesh dance and it's so nice to see the children also contributing to the inheritance of their traditional culture.
Photo taken by Roy
The Japanese Music Group Shiki presented their amazing koto skills and the elegant ladies showcased a positive attitude towards life.
The Chinese Peking Opera brought audience to a traditional Chinese artistic atmosphere with a high level taste.
Photo taken by Kathy
Photo taken by Roy
Oh yes, the Children's Fashion Show was so much fun. Children from various backgrounds demonstrated their cultural costumes with much enthusiasm. They enjoyed catwalking and putting poses on the stage. All are looking forward to the next fashion show.
The lion dancing performed by the Qiao Hi Hong De Lion Dance Team was a great charm as usual. Children were entertained a lot.
The E.C.H.O is a young rock band with a tint of Blues sounds with super bass line, killer guitars solos and drum beats that sent shock wave through everyone's body! Many people spoke very highly of this young band.
The Chinese Contemporary Dancing Group presented a high level of group dancing, which introduced the traditional Chinese Dao concept meaning a peaceful attitude towards life. The teenager dancers and the leading dancer composed a harmonious picture of a path to paradise.
A shocking live band The Cornermental is an Asian pop/rock band. Their professional skills and charming stage manner was a real asset for the wider audience.
Photo taken by Roy
The Strawberry Fairy and One Pixel Party Studio also entertained the children with balloons, shows and free painting. All children had such a fun day because of them.
The delicious Asian food, artworks and all kinds of art crafts made the Asian Arts Festival diversified and inclusive.
The art exhibition - To Make the World Better at the Pūmanawa community exhibition space was another great success and artworks created by artists from China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand attracted so many visitors.
The first Asian Arts Festival couldn't have happened successfully without the support of Christchurch City Council, the Ministry of Ethnic Communities, the Lottery Community, the Ministry of Social Development, Community Organization Grants Scheme or COGS, Rata Foundation, and the Arts Centre of Christchurch, especially the Asian Arts Festival team from the Everyone an Artist Trust.
Let's look forward to the 2024 Asian Arts Festival with more activities, programmes and wider cooperation with other national and international art communities.