‘A blessing is a circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal and strengthen.’
– John O’Donohue
The Lantern Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the new lunisolar year, usually in February or March in the Gregorian calendar.
Blessing has been in the heart of Chinese families for more than thousands of years. During the festival, families spend their time together and wish each other good luck in the new year. When the sun goes down, people light up the lanterns and decorate their home and the street since the lanterns symbolise the people letting of their past selves and, especially the lanterns in red, having good fortune in the next year. After having dinner with family, children go out to temples carrying paper lanterns, while young couples spending their time together and enjoy the night view.
The Wishing Wall
In 2016, UKALF is the very first celebration of the Lantern Festival in Manchester – Spread the blessing worldwide!!
Wishing Wall and Lantern DIY workshop will be located in the venue. People can create their own unique lanterns and write their wishes and blessing on the lanterns. People can share the happiness by placing the DIY lanterns on the Wishing Wall or taking it away to decorate their home.
The funds raised will be used to:
The Art Lantern Festival will be held:
Location: Trafford Center Square, Manchester
Date: 5th February 2016 to 30st April 2016, 16:00 – 22:00
The Trafford Centre is one of the biggest indoor shopping centre and leisure complex in Greater Manchester. Festival attendees can visit one of the most popular attractions in Manchester – Trafford Centre before or after entering the venue, making the whole day count!!