About 60 people gathered at the serene Shepparton’s Victoria Park Lake on Saturday, September 23, for an event that bridged cultures and kindled hopes of harmony.
The occasion was the Picnic 4 Peace Family Lantern Walk, a gathering that intertwined the observance of World Peace Day and the vibrant festivities of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, a cherished tradition in Chinese culture.
Since 2015, Picnic 4 Peace has been a stalwart advocate for world peace, crafting a spectrum of events that foster unity and understanding.
This year’s commemoration took a luminous turn with a lantern walk, where each flickering light symbolised a beacon of hope for a peaceful future, a guiding star in the darkest of times.
Speaker Declo Bisimwa encouraged attendees to wish for peace in The Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, and the world.
“May the echoes of conflict fade away, giving rise to harmony and healing in the hearts of all people,” he said.
“Let us envision a future where the sound of laughter surpasses the sound of guns, where children play under the same sky, unhindered by fear or violence.
“Together, let us strive towards a world where every voice is heard, every life is valued, and every nation stands united in the pursuit of peace.”
Jia Xin Ch Ng Abby, a Chinese native of Malaysia, also spoke at the event.
She said the mid-autumn festival is a day of reunion and family, with people enjoying the moon together, eating moon cake and carrying lanterns.
“When I was young, my mum made me lanterns every year in different styles,” she said.
“I’m glad that I now have the chance to make lanterns with my children and friends here.
“I had a wonderful time in the process and can pass on my culture to my children.”
She said it was really special to celebrate world peace and the mid-autumn festival together and wished the world peace and reunion.