Feel like getting creative this wet weekend? Why not try your hand at making a lantern from natural materials you might find in your garden or on the beach?
Matariki goes multicultural at Taipa next Sunday, June 21, with our own home grown Starshine Lantern Festival to light up an evening of story-telling under the stars to mark the shortest day. Experienced story-tellers will be there to entertain and inform - and the floor will be open to anyone who would like to share a story about Matariki, our local environment and its history, or tales of light festivals from other lands.
Schools around the area have seen their students busy, with the help of mobile art teacher, Helen Cossey, making lanterns out of natural and found materials in preparation for the festival. Prizes will be awarded for the best lanterns created by entrants in 4 age categories: infant to 12 years; 13 to 17 years; 18 to 79 years and 80 years plus. There will also be a prize for the best 'whanau constellation' of lanterns, made by a family or group.
Prizes will relate to sustainable light or energy sources, e.g. solar battery chargers for those handy little AA or AAA batteries.
If it's too chilly outside, we can move into the Whare Wanganga at the school.
Set up will be from 4 pm when the lanterns will be hung in a pohutukawa tree and solar lights are installed to illuminate them. A light supper will be available.
Winning and commended lanterns will go on to be displayed at the Grand Matariki Exhibition in the Kaitaia Community Centre at the end of June.
Entry is free and all are welcome to participate.
For more info contact Soozee at the Environment Centre on 4081086 or soozee@ecocentre.co.nz
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