Our Adelaide rosella mascot has been immortalised as a new lantern for the OzAsia Festival. Read on for a sneak peek at the lantern's creation and find out how to win a rosella-inspired keep cup.
Held from 21 October to 7 November, OzAsia Festival is Australia’s leading contemporary arts festival fostering cultural engagement between Asia and Australia. An OzAsia Festival favourite is the much-loved Moon Lantern Parade, which returns in 2021 as the newly imagined and free four-day Moon Lantern Trail running from Thursday 21 October to Sunday 24 October.
The Moon Lantern Trail starts at Adelaide Festival Centre Precinct and lights a path to Pinky Flat near the River Torrens. The trail features 12 giant lanterns including Green Adelaide’s new three-metre high Adelaide Rosella Lantern and the ever-popular 40-metre long Hong Kong Dragon.
Why the Adelaide Rosella?
Green Adelaide Board Presiding Member Professor Chris Daniels said that it’s exciting for Green Adelaide to be involved with the Moon Lantern Trail this year, and bring a special local species of bird to the limelight.
“The Adelaide Rosella Lantern is made out of lightweight steel and a custom printed fabric, with the design inspired by our Green Adelaide mascot which is an Adelaide rosella,” Professor Daniels said.
“The mascot signifies the wildlife that call Adelaide home, and I hope it helps everyone ID this common and only found in South Australia species of rosella.
“The Adelaide rosella is characterised by its rich orange through to pale washed out yellow feathers – and is a subspecies of the crimson rosella.”
Creating the Adelaide Rosella Lantern
The Adelaide Rosella Lantern is light as a feather and took almost three months to create by-hand by lantern artist and designer Christopher Bartlett.
Mr Bartlett said, “It's always a delight to experience a rosella in the garden, but an enormous rosella at Pinky Flat? So much fun. I hope to make it some friends someday!"
Watch the Adelaide Rosella Lantern being created below.
Share your selfies
Professor Daniels added that when people see the beautiful lantern on the trail, or even the parrot in real life, he wants them to think about how special Adelaide’s wildlife is and how enjoyable and beautiful a wilder city lifestyle could be for Adelaide.
“We’d love to see your selfies and family shots with this big bird over the four-day free Moon Lantern Trail,” Professor Daniels said.
Snap a picture with the Adelaide Rosella Lantern and share it on social media with the hashtag #AdelaideRosella for Green Adelaide to re-share it. You could win a Green Adelaide keep cup! We have three to giveaway. Winners will be drawn at 10am on 26 October 2021.
Register to see the lantern for free
Green Adelaide's Adelaide Rosella Lantern can be found at stop 6 on the Moon Lantern Trail near War Memorial Drive.
Come visit the lanterns between 21-24 October starting at Adelaide Festival Centre from 5pm on weekdays and from midday on the weekend.
Register now for the free Moon Lantern Trail on the OzAsia Festival website.