Lighting Up

August 04th, 2016

A kaleidoscope of colourful lanterns and fire murals will light up the skies in Hahndorf on Sunday, August 13.

Most Hills residents tend to hibernate during winter, but organiser of the Hahndorf Winter Lantern Festival and Mylor resident Tony Hannan said there is every reason to head outdoors to see beautiful handmade lanterns and enjoy winter warming food and drink at the festival.

For the last 30 years, Tony has worked across many art platforms creating all kinds of outdoor visual art pieces including giant puppets, parade floats, banners, lanterns and fire murals, just to name a few.

“People have been holding lantern festivals for centuries in other countries,” Tony said.

“After being involved with planning lantern parades for the Fringe I thought it would be a great idea to start one in Hahndorf during winter.”

“I approached the Hahndorf Academy and we applied to Country Arts SA for some funding to run lantern making workshops.”

The community focused event was so successful that they decided to hold it again in 2016.

“This year we received funding from the Mount Barker District Council to run lantern making workshops in three Adelaide Hills schools,” Tony said.

Lantern making workshops were held at the Hahndorf Academy, St Michael's Primary School and Hahndorf Primary School and fire mural workshops were held at Heathfield High School.

Adelaide Hills visual artist Rebecca Prince along with emerging young artists Zinia King and Gabrielle Lane were recruited to help bring this colourful community event together.

24-year-old Gabrielle Lane from Crafers said working with Tony and assisting with the school workshops has expanded her practice and visual arts skills.

“I'm used to doing things in 2-dimensions so learning how to make fire lanterns and sculptural puppets and then having to teach those skills to others has been a great learning experience,” Gabrielle said.

“It's quite satisfying to teach someone how to make something from scratch and then see what they end up with.”

Gabrielle said the fire puppets are sure to be a hit on the night.

“Especially the eagle which is moveable – someone will hold it up and the wings are able to move up and down – it's very visually impressive on a cold winters night,” she said.

Hahndorf Academy acting director Rachel McElwee described the Hahndorf Winter Lantern Festival as a “magical” night.

“We expect it to be a lot bigger this year as working with schools has encouraged a lot more children to be involved,” she said.

“The lantern parade is my favourite part of the night because the kids are so proud of the lanterns that they have designed and made themselves.”

“The whole evening is very family orientated and such a fun night out together with lots of activities to do.”

After the lantern parade, the fire murals will be lit up out the front of the Hahndorf Academy and provide a visual spectacle.

The Hahndorf Youth Town Band, local band Mobius X and young acoustic musician Henry Phillips will provide entertainment. A range of yummy winter food and drink will be for sale.

“This event is a reminder that there are still special things to do in winter,” Tony said.

“If children turn up and don't have a lantern to hold, we will have extras for them to carry and be part of the parade,” he said.

“It's much better to be part of the parade than to watch.”

The Hahndorf Winter Lantern Festival is a free event to be held on Sunday, August 13 from 3-8pm at the Hahndorf Academy, 68 Main Street, Hahndorf.

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