On 27 April, 2024, at 10:00 AM, rhythmic music filled the Barfoot & Thompson Stadium in Auckland. People enthusiastically danced, joyfully joining the dance parade around the venue. The host welcomed everyone to the Daren Cultural Event in Maori, English, and Chinese, officially kicking off the event.
Organized by the Daren Life Association, the Daren Cultural Event made its debut to the public last April, achieving significant success. This year, both the venue and the exhibition booths and activities have doubled in scale compared to the previous year, attracting a continuous stream of participants.
- Cultural Exchange:
The sound of the Guqin echoed, and the fragrance of ink wafted through the air. Whether traditional or distinctive, various cultures vied to showcase their splendor.
- Artistic Performances:
Throughout the event, various artistic performance teams covered a spectrum of age groups, showcasing the characteristics and talents of each age bracket. From songs, dances to Chinese dramas, the performances were magnificent and captivating.
- Cultural Experience:
Daren Gu Bai (Humanity Reverence Ceremony): Experiencing the harmony of heaven, earth, and humanity, expressing longing for homelands. A grand Gu Bai ceremony involving hundreds of participants, which resonated the entire venue.
(Volunteer introduces the Gu Bai ceremony)
(Tea serving, a ritual during the Gu Bai ceremony)
(Nostalgia snacks, carrying deep longing for family and homeland)
- Mutual Help in Life:
At the traditional Chinese medicine consultation booth, experts and medical service teams provided on-site pulse diagnosis, assessed participants’ health conditions, explained symptoms, and offered relevant self-care knowledge. They patiently answered questions and helped enhance participants’ awareness of self-care.
The Daren Mutual Help Platform provides free household appliance repairs and clothing mending services, allowing friends with specialized skills to showcase their talents and help others solve life’s challenges. Through this platform, individuals can shine and contribute their unique abilities, benefiting more friends in need. Additionally, there is a booth dedicated to recycling and reusing items, ensuring that every object finds a new owner and continues to demonstrate its value.
- Entertainment Activities:
A variety of entertainment projects offer boundless fun. The “Spider-Man” balloon twisting artist showcases extraordinary skills, while the face painting master brings artworks to life. In the children’s area, kids enjoy making crafts, ring tossing, and fishing, fully immersed in joy. The inflatable castle provides endless amusement for children. For adults, there are stimulating and therapeutic entertainment projects such as VR immersive experiences and navigating through a minefield.
- Diverse Culinary Delights:
The food street at the event offers a wide variety of delicacies, showcasing a rich assortment of specialty snacks from various regions, providing everyone with a taste of different flavors and culinary experiences.
- Product and Services:
Fresh flowers and honey, scented candles, toys and clothing, stationery and handicrafts, nail and eyelash beauty services, insurance and healthcare, and more… The rich array of products and services leave attendees spoiled for choice, providing a wide range of options to meet their needs.
- Looking Forward to Reunion:
The Daren Cultural Event has created a platform where people from all walks of life come together, showcasing their unique characteristics and fostering mutual understanding, respect, and establishing more harmonious connections between people. Participants of the event have expressed their warm appreciation:
“Thanka to the Daren Life Association for organizing such a successful event! Every aspect was meticulously planned! Looking forward to even bigger and more exciting events in the future!”
“Heartfelt thanks to the organizers for their comprehensive planning and organization, providing us merchants with a high-quality platform to promote our products and make new friends. Special thanks to the enthusiastic volunteers for their on-site service and patient guidance.”
“Business was booming! All my stock was sold out early. Count me in for the next event; I’ll need to prepare more inventory.”
“The event was a huge success! The atmosphere was lively, and I got to meet many of my friends.”
“It’s truly a great place to bring the kids—there’s good food, fun activities, and cultural enrichment. The kids had a blast, and we all had a fulfilling day!”
Congratulations on the successful completion of the 2024 Daren Cultural Event! We would like to extend special thanks to the dedicated volunteers for their sincere and proactive assistance. We are grateful for the generous support from the exhibitors, performance groups, and individuals who participated in the event. We also thank all friends from various walks of life for their visits and participation. Let us continue to work together, and we look forward to reuniting with everyone at next year’s Daren Cultural Event!
Daren Life Association
30 April, 2024