News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

We’ve had a lot on already this month (history, culture and remembrance on Waitangi Day), and a lot still to come - with cultural fun and food at Wellington’s Chinese New Year Festival this weekend and romance in the air ahead of Valentine’s Day next week!

We’ve collected some facts about this month’s celebrations for you from our collection – have a read!

Waitangi Day – Monday 6th February 2012

Waitangi Day was observed this year on Monday 6th February. Public holidays are always enjoyable, but it’s important to remember that Waitangi Day is much more than a day off:

• On the 6th of February 1840, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, what is considered to be New Zealand’s founding document.
• Since then this has led to debate over exactly what was agreed to at Waitangi. Most Maori chiefs signed the Maori language version of the Treaty – and there are some important differences between the English and Maori versions of the Treaty
• February 6th was first officially commemorated in 1934, and it has been a public holiday since 1974
• Prior to 1934, most celebrations of New Zealand’s founding as a colony were marked on 29 January, the date on which William Hobson arrived in the Bay of Islands
• This day was also known briefly as New Zealand Day

Read more about the Treaty:

• The Treaty of Waitangi companion: Māori and Pākehā from Tasman to today, edited by Vincent O’Malley, Bruce Stirling and Wally Penetito.
• The treaty of Waitangi, by Claudia Orange.
• Waitangi Day on the Libraries’ Kid’s Catalog Web.
• WCL suggested Treaty resources.

Wellington’s Chinese New Year Festival – 11th & 12th February 2012

Chinese New Year fell on January 23rd this year, and to celebrate Wellington will be having a Chinese New Year Festival on the 11th and 12th of February. The se celebrations are brought to you by the Asian Events Trust in partnership with Wellington City Council, and information about events happening over the weekend can be found at: chinesenewyear.co.nz

Some facts for you:

• Chinese New Year is traditionally a Spring festival, and one of the most important festivities in the lunar calendar
• Celebrations take place over 15 days
• 2012 is the Year of the Dragon
• The most common Chinese phrases for saying “Happy New Year” are “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (Mandarin) and “Gong He Faat Choy” (Cantonese)

Read more about Chinese New Year:

• Chinese New Year, by Sarah Moyse.
• Chinese New Year, by Mike Hirst.
• A flavour of China, by Amy Shui and Stuart Thompson.
• Lanterns and firecrackers : a Chinese New Year story, by Jonny Zucker; illustrated by Jan Barger Cohen.
• Festive fun, by Gillian Souter.
• Chinese New Year on our Kid’s Catalogue

Valentine’s Day – Tuesday 14th February

Yes, we’re just about at that time of year when florists and candy stores try to persuade us to purchase gifts for loved ones. But is it all just a commercial gimmick? Every wondered what this lovey dovey day is actually all about? Well look no further, we have some answers. Valentine’s Day…

• Originally honoured Saint Valentine
• Has now become a day to express love and affection
• Possibly the first reference to the day is in Parlement of Foules (1382), by Geoffrey Chaucer, and…
• Did you know there is actually more than one Saint Valentine?

Read more about Valentine’s Day:

• Valentine’s Day, by Fern G. Brown; illustrations by Anne Canevari Green.
• Martha Stewart’s handmade holiday crafts : 225 inspired projects for year-round celebrations
• Festive fun, by Gillian Souter.
• The book of the year: a brief history of our seasonal holidays, by Anthony F. Aveni.
• I hate Valentine’s Day, by Bennett Madison; illustrated by James Dignan.
• Valentine’s Day on our Kid’s CatalogValentine’s Day from our DVD collection, or try this romantic comedy genre search

Nau mai, haere mai.

Please join with us in celebrating Te Rā o Waitangi : Waitangi Day celebrations in a day of bicultural fun for the whole whānau.

Where & when : Monday 6 February, at the Wharewaka, 10:30am-2.00 pm.

Following the pōwhiri at 10:30am, Wellington City Libraries is pleased to host Apirana Taylor who will present two storytimes at 10:40 and 11:30 am.

In between the storytimes we will be providing an opportunity for children and parents to
- make badges using our badge machine
- create waka/watercraft from natural materials.

Come also to see our range of books on the Treaty, and enter your name for a random prize draw of books.

You can also test your knowledge of historical events which triggered the signing of Te Tiriti/The Treaty by completing our online quiz.

The Library is running a Waitangi Day quiz! Answer the questions and you could win an MP3 player. Enter it here, but be quick as it closes on Saturday.