From 8 December 2023 to 13 February, our Auckland Branch President, members of our Branch Committee, and other branch members were invited by local Chinese societies to attend no less than 23 different, and very exciting, Chinese New Year celebrations!
One of these, held on 13 February, was the most wonderful ‘2024 “Festival of Spring” Chinese New Year Gala Night in Auckland’.
This show was organised by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese; Coordinated by the New Zealand Huaxing Arts Troupe; and, Supported by Chen Shi Jie, The Consul-General of the Peoples Republic of China in Auckland.
Guest Speakers were:
- Yi Zhang, Event Organiser;
- Chen Shi-jie, China Consul-General in Auckland and Event Supporter;
- Fen Li, President of the Huaxing Arts Troupe and Event Coordinator;
- Mike Dawson, President of the New Zealand China Friendship Society’s Auckland Branch
This Show was, in my humble opinion and experience, the most professionally organised and presented show I have ever seen. This was instantly recognised from the very first few seconds of the first performance, right through to its amazing finale’. Comments I heard on the night included: Fantastic! Super professional! Awesome! Amazing! Stunning! Etc, etc, etc!
In my speech, I reiterated the importance of friendly relations with China and all the wonderful results arising from that friendship. I was quoted in one of the top Chinese News outlets, XinhuaNet, as follows:
Mike Dawson, Auckland Branch president from the New Zealand China Friendship Society, was grateful for the cultural bridge the event had facilitated.
“Music breaks through all language and cultural differences. In this way, an important people-to-people bridge is formed, bringing people together, those to be entertained and others to entertain,” said Dawson.
I added to the effect that music is a language all of its own, one that is understood by every person who hears it, regardless of their spoken language.
Many Chinese New Year celebrations happened in Auckland, so much diversity, so colourful. Happy Dragon year to you all from Auckland Branch.
Mike Dawson
Auckland Branch President
