2024 Los Angeles Lantern Art Expo Illuminates Santa Anita Park with Grand Opening and Lighting Ceremony

LAPost/Arcadia, CA (October 17, 2024) – The highly anticipated 2024 Los Angeles Lantern Art Expo held its grand opening and lighting ceremony on the evening of October 17 at Santa Anita Park. The event was graced by distinguished guests, including Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun and his wife Madam Wang Wei, Cultural Counselor Wang Taiyu, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, California Assemblymember Mike Fong, and Ms. Wang Qinghua, Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party’s Qujiang New District in Xi’an.

At the lighting ceremony of the 2024 Los Angeles Lantern Art Expo, distinguished guests gathered for a commemorative group photo. Among those present were Chinese Consul General Guo Shaochun, his wife, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, California Assemblymember Mike Fong, and Ms. Wang Qinghua, Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party’s Qujiang New District in Xi’an. The photo captured the moment as the leaders stood together, symbolizing the spirit of cultural exchange and collaboration between China and the U.S., with the colorful lantern displays illuminating the background, adding a festive glow to the event. (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Representing their local districts, Judy Chu and Mike Fong expressed gratitude to the organizers for bringing such a vibrant showcase of traditional Chinese lantern art to the community, highlighting its beauty and cultural significance.

Consul General Guo Shaochun (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

During his address, Consul General Guo Shaochun remarked, “Today, as we light up the lanterns, we once again highlight the tremendous potential and continued efforts of China and the U.S. to foster cultural and tourism exchanges.” He emphasized that lantern art is a profound expression of traditional Chinese culture, blending aesthetic beauty with deep cultural heritage. “Each lantern is a symbol of the exquisite craftsmanship of Chinese artisans and reflects the shared aspirations of Chinese people worldwide for a bright and prosperous future,” he added.

The evening was also enriched with live cultural performances showcasing traditional Chinese art forms such as lion dancing, folk music, and acrobatics. These displays not only highlighted the cultural charm of China-U.S. exchanges but also provided guests with opportunities to interact with the lantern displays and take memorable photos. The Expo is part of a series of events commemorating the 45th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations.

The distinguished guests, including Chinese Consul General Guo Shaochun, his wife, California Assemblymember Mike Fong, Ms. Wang Qinghua, and Carissa Ip, the event representative, posed together in front of the grand lantern displays. (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Carissa Ip, a representative of the event organizers, explained that the Expo covers over 100 acres, divided into three themed sections: Ancient Tang Dynasty, Prehistoric Dinosaur Park, and Technological Future, catering to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The lanterns, crafted in Zigong, Sichuan, a city renowned for its lantern-making heritage, were meticulously designed by experts and transported to the U.S. for the exhibition. The event will also feature 240 booths selling international food, heritage crafts, and handmade items.

This year’s Expo introduces a special mascot – “Qizai,” a rare brown panda from the Qinling Giant Panda Research Center in Shaanxi, China. As the only panda of its kind, Qizai, with its unique brown and white fur, is celebrated as a “national treasure.”

The “Chang’an Lantern Festival” entrance’s ultra-large traditional Chinese archway-style lantern (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

The Expo’s overarching theme, “Drawing Inspiration from Tradition, Innovating for the Future,” reflects how each lantern embodies both historical depth and cultural continuity, while showcasing the skill and ingenuity of Chinese artisans. The Expo will highlight three major sections:

1. Tang Dynasty Glory – Recreating the grandeur of lantern festivals from Xi’an’s prosperous Tang Dynasty with magnificent, colorful displays.
2. Exploring the Future – Featuring futuristic designs themed around technology, Halloween, and more, offering a vision of humanity’s relentless pursuit of innovation.
3. Food and Creative Culture – Offering a culinary and creative arts experience with booths selling authentic Chinese food and cultural products, providing visitors with a taste of traditional and contemporary Chinese culture.

Famous rapper Kong Lingqi and his wife attended the lantern lighting ceremony (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

The Lantern Expo will be open daily from October 18 to November 17, from 4:30 PM to 11:30 PM. In addition to the lantern displays, the Expo will include a section dedicated to international cuisine, heritage crafts, and a Hanfu experience, where visitors can try on traditional Chinese attire. According to the organizers, the Expo is expected to attract over 250,000 visitors during its month-long run.

(By Staff Writer: Richard Ren/LAPost)

     

(All photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)