Each paper lantern is festooned with one-of-a-kind decorations. Yet when 150 of them are displayed together, as they will be at the third annual Langley Lantern Festival, they create a singular artwork.
The lantern festival is a way for Langley to celebrate Asian culture and is based around a display of the iconic paper lanterns.
“I was just thinking, when they’re all together, it just creates that sense of community,†said Rosemary Wallace, a City councillor and head of the Langley Arts Council.
The decorated lanterns are courtesy of the community.
In preparation for the festival, the arts council has supervised lantern decorating at various venues, including Harrison Landing seniors complex, Langley Secondary School, a couple of elementary school classes and the Family Day public workshop.
Wallace explained that the goal is to have lanterns from various age groups, and those who decorated the lanterns can end up with a keepsake.
“They get to take their lanterns back [after the festival],†she said.
The festival is a joint effort between Langley City and the Langley Arts Council, and because they cover most of the costs (the Family Day lantern painting workshop cost $5), the event is free for the public.
The festival takes place 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Douglas Recreation Centre, 20550 Douglas Cres.
Last year about 125 people attended and more are expected as the event increases in popularity.
“If it keeps growing, definitely we’ll need a larger venue,†Wallace said.
In addition to the lanterns, organizers have arranged entertainment (music and dance), and it’s been spaced out during the event so people can come and go and still not miss out.
There will also be international cuisine to try and a small exhibit of Asian-inspired art.