This fall the Montreal Botantical Garden is presenting The Magic of Lanterns in the Chinese Garden. This 18th edition of the display continues through October 31st and commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Montreal-Shanghai friendship as well as salutes this year’s World Expo in Shanghai.
Inspired by the famous traditional Chinese painting Qing Ming Shang He Tu, this year’s theme is Like a Painting. In addition special lanterns that represent the 2010 theme, there are over 700 traditional traditional lanterns on display every year. The Lantern Festival in China dates back to the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) and is held during the New Year cycle. Lanterns carry traditional motifs of animals, plants, and mythical scenes. Originally made of silk and paper, modern materials such as nylon are more common today. The lighting for The Magic of Lanterns was changed to a TFT LED Contactless System in 2008. This brings energy use for the event to 1/10th what it used to be as well as ensuring that the lights are more reliable, even in less than ideal weather.
In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Insectarium, giant lanterns have been created in shapes of butterflies, grasshoppers and dragonflies and line the paths around the museum that are devoted to insects. Besides strolling through the lantern-lit paths, visitors can enjoy Chinese pastries and jasmine-scented green tea. Visitors staying at hotels in Montreal can check with the hotel concierge for details and directions to the Gardens.
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