On 18th April, the 2026 “Daren Culture” Event was successfully held amidst enthusiasm and warmth. People from different countries and cultural backgrounds gathered together, creating a truly cross-cultural event in a multi-dimensional space of art performances, interactive experiences, and life exchanges. Cultural exchange moved from “watching” to “participation,” from the “stage” to “everyday life,” forging a collective resonance about human harmony and the yearning for a better life.
[Artistic Performance]
This year’s stage performances were more diverse than in previous years, attracting participation and support from more performing groups from different cultural backgrounds. Tradition and modernity intertwined, and Eastern and Western cultures naturally blended, unfolding a harmonious and symbiotic cultural landscape.
1. Speech by the President of Daren Life Society
The president of the Daren Life Society delivered the opening remarks, sharing the changes in the Daren Culture Events held over the past four years. Last year, a special Daren Conversation event was held after the main event—a conversation platform where people could set aside prejudices, express themselves freely, and engage in sincere exchanges. This year, we have added a “New Culture Movement” booth—upholding the banner of “Human is Paramount”, further safeguarding human dignity, and returning all ideologies and systems to their fundamental purpose of serving people. The president previewed the entire event, announcing that this year’s performances will be more diverse and the stalls more abundant, and expressed gratitude to all government officials, volunteers, and all other participants of the event.
2. The Jiuyi Hanfu Classical Dance Troupe opened the show with a dance performance titled “Lanterns Illuminating the Tang Dynasty”.
Founded in 2020, the dance troupe is dedicated to promoting traditional Chinese culture. Using Hanfu (traditional Han clothing) as their attire and dance as their language, they integrate the beauty of movement with emotional expression. For four consecutive years, Jiu Yi has participated in the Daren Culture Event. This time, their meticulously choreographed dances, “Lanterns Reflecting the Tang Dynasty,” “Longing for You,” and “The Wandering Poet,” seemed to transport everyone through a thousand years, immersing them in the classical aesthetics of the East.
3. Maori singer Page Graham delivers a heartfelt performance.
In Maori culture, “Te Aroha” means “love.” It’s not just a song, but a way to convey care and connect people emotionally. The singer not only delivered heartwarming songs but also energized the audience with two contrasting English classics, “Robin Hood Heroes” and “Careless Whisper.”
4. The Burundian Drum from Africa embodies primal vitality.
The Burundian Association, with 12 members, performed a highly representative traditional art form of East Africa, conveying the spirit of unity, courage, and the pulse of life through rhythm, power, and coordination. When the drums sound, it’s not just about hearing the most primal and powerful sound of the African continent, but also about feeling a profound impact from the land and the body.
One audience member remarked, “It felt like I had traveled to an African tribe. Watching them drum and dance was so liberating and carefree; there was a kind of primal, pure joy in it.”
5. Reciting “The Human World of The People”
Children’s voices, clear and pure, best convey sincerity. The recitations brought by the children of Daren Life Society conveyed human warmth and reflection through their voices. “Human is the master, and all things follow,” their melodious voices echoed.
6. Guzheng performance of “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering”
The guzheng, with its single string and note, carries a thousand years of aesthetic appreciation and emotion. Savannah, a student at Epsom High School, has been passionate about learning the guzheng for many years and is adept at skillfully blending traditional folk music with modern pop styles, using the instrument to express emotions. Her nimble fingertips deliver a performance of the classic piece “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion,” showcasing a unique style in the collision of tradition and modernity.
7. Exotic belly dance: Russian traditional dance
Volga Dance Studio takes us into a world of exotic dance. Belly dance, originating in the Middle East, has continuously evolved through the fusion of different cultures, forming a rich variety of forms. When this dance is combined with Russian artistic styles, it presents a unique tension and rhythmic beauty. Audiences experience the cross-cultural charm through rhythm and movement.
8. The New Culture Movement: “The DaZhan Code”
The debut of the New Culture Movement’s performance “The DaZhan Code” garnered significant attention due to its striking style. “The DaZhan Code” is not merely a set of rules, but an attitude; not directed at others, but a self-reminder. It doesn’t target people, but rather the disorder within their hearts; it doesn’t “establish” authority, but rather the proper boundaries of human conduct. The HHP Society’s volunteer army, with action as its pen and faith as its banner, marched in unison, proclaiming the voice of self-discipline for this era. How can the code be established? How can DaZhan be carried out? The answer lies in upholding moral integrity and creating a clean atmosphere. The attitude conveyed on-site not only immersed the audience in the impact but also awakened their own conscience. Many viewers, after learning about the New Culture Movement, expressed their clear support. While acknowledging “Human is Paramount,” they expressed their support for “The DaZhan Code” and their expectation for a new environment of humanity and justice.
9. Moonlight Music School Electric Band
This time, Moonlight sent two teams from the Academy of Modern Music. The children’s band had an average age of only 11 years old, and the older children’s band was only 15 years old. These teenagers used their passion and talent to bring a medley of songs, igniting the atmosphere at the very beginning. The audience was immersed in their musical magic and felt the youth and enthusiasm!
10. Keys for Cure and the Vivi dance team present a vibrant collection of modern dances.
Since its inception, “Keys for Cure” has gradually developed into one of Auckland’s well-known charities. They translate the power of art into practical action, supporting children’s health, education, and community well-being, providing help and warmth to many. A group of enthusiastic teenagers ignited the audience time and again with their skillful dance performances, eliciting waves of applause.
11. Angel Dance Troupe
The Angel Dance Troupe, returning to the “Daren Culture” event, presented a rich and layered artistic showcase with three distinctive dance pieces. The Mongolian dance “The Call of the Azure Sky” vividly recreated the vastness and unrestrained spirit of the grasslands with its graceful and bold movements; the traditional dance “Ten Years of Lanterns in the Night Rain of Jianghu” conveyed the poetic and picturesque beauty of Eastern aesthetics with its delicate and graceful expression; and “On the Golden Mountain of Beijing” injected a joyful and uplifting atmosphere into the performance with its bright and enthusiastic rhythm. These three dances, ranging from grand to graceful, from deep emotion to jubilation, allowed the audience to experience the diverse charm of Chinese dance art.
12. Sri Lanka Double-Sided Drum & Dance
The Sri Lankan double-headed drum is one of the most representative percussion instruments in local traditional music, renowned for its strong and layered rhythmic variations. When the drumbeats intertwine with dance steps, the resulting unique artistic expression is not only a fusion of auditory and visual senses but also a release and transmission of cultural emotions. The performers from Noopura Dance Academy brought a vibrant South Asian passion to the event.
13. Children singing Chinese hymns
Ancient poems, each word a gem. The children of the Little Lotus Poetry and Classical Chinese Studies Class, with their purest voices, transform millennia-old poems into melodious tunes. Each classic poem is reborn in their children’s voices, showcasing the warmth and beauty of Chinese culture.
14. The songs are “Thinking of the Beauty” and “Red Rose, White Rose”.
Lauren’s sweet voice moved the audience with two distinct pieces: one melodious and affectionate, the other passionate and touching; one expressing classical sentiments, the other showcasing contemporary style. Through music, these two works brought delicate emotions and captivating melodies to the audience.
15. Jazz duet “DDU-DU-DDU-DU”
Rachel and Jennie’s jazz dance performance, with its vibrant beats, crisp movements, and stage presence, showcased confidence, sharpness, and dynamism. Their performance revealed their passion for dance, using youthful energy to create miracles.
16. dance “The VOSS”
K-WELL’s K – POP Dance Team from South Korea delivers a K-POP dance performance brimming with trendy rhythms and stage presence. As the dynamic melody rises and the beat intensifies, the dancers showcase the unique charm of contemporary K-POP with synchronized and explosive movements. “The VOSS” is not just a dance, but an expression of attitude—a complete release of confidence, energy, and stage presence.
17. Onehunga Chinese Association Dance Team
The Onehunga Chinese Association Dance Troupe, participating in the “Daren Culture” event for the second year, brought a wonderful performance rich in ethnic characteristics. Their Tibetan dance, “The Call of the Sky,” with its bold and unrestrained movements, showcased the vastness and vitality of the plateau culture, winning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
As the event drew to a close, the grand finale, “Let’s Dance the Yangko,” took to the stage with great enthusiasm. As soon as the lively melody began, the dancers moved to the powerful rhythm, instantly filling the entire venue with a festive and joyous atmosphere. The audience and performers were in sync, with applause and cheers rising and falling, creating waves of joy. Their passionate performance delivered a series of exciting moments, bringing the event to a vibrant and unforgettable close.
The diverse and engaging stage performances have already captivated audiences, but the excitement continues—stay tuned for the “Daren Culture Event Recap” series, where we will bring you more exciting content, including various on-site stalls, Daren Gubai ceremonies, and volunteer highlights.
