Iconic Luminous Lantern Parade illuminates Queensland as it welcomes new inhabitants

Brisbane, June 9 (MCNA Newsdesk)

Queenslanders were all decked up to get back to the celebratory mood as the Luminous Lantern Parade showcased the very best of all it had. This was the 16th year of Luminous Parade celebrations, and is being recognized as one of Queensland’s largest welcome events mesmerizing Queenslanders with its use of light in a manner which symbolizes hope and creates an ambience that welcomes new Queenslanders in a glorious way. It all began with a modest candlelight gathering 16 years ago. Now this annual event has developed into a movement of solidarity and support by the public at large for refugees, migrants, and people coming from outside the state. The annual Luminous Lantern Parade sees tens of thousands of people flocking to the event from across the state in a spirit of warmth and friendship, showing the outstanding zeal of the Queenslanders who are always in readiness to welcome others to the state.

This Parade has now assumed an iconic status among the various events which are organized according to the annual Queensland events calendar.

The Parade also coincides with Queensland Day, a day that celebrates Queensland’s birthday and its unique culture, heritage, people, places, and its industrial network.

According to the schedule, the spectacular lantern procession began at Flowstate, South Bank, taking a short and symbolic walk down the promenade, and moving in the sites of the city skyline. Finally, the Parade concluded at the South Bank Piazza, where a vibrant World music concert was organized. Meanwhile, the lanterns were full of luminous light in a symbolic gesture welcoming a large number of people from all over the world, particularly the newest Queenslanders.

The Luminous Parade is an occasion that attracts its supporters from across the community, which comprises besides the people in general, all levels of government, corporate, and community organizations also. It is an occasion that sees the intermingling of communities and is a welcome occasion for all, including indigenous elders, migrant and refugee communities, service providers, education and training providers, church organizations, schools, various stakeholder groups and the wider community. All of them in large numbers walk in the Parade or take part in a range of Luminous satellite events.

This year Multicultural Australia has taken the Luminous Parade to the neighbourhood across Brisbane and in Toowoomba and Rockhampton, aiming to propagate the message of welcome across Queensland. Luminous Lantern Parade was organized on June 9 from Little Stanley Street, with the World Music Concert featuring diverse musicians and dancers commencing in the South Bank Piazza after the Parade.