PR-08-26-2009

The Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival Committee will hold the first major authentic Chinese Lantern Festival in US history February 14, 2010 to May 1, 2010 at Stone Mountain Park, Georgia, USA.

The Chinese Treasure Ships during the Ming Dynasty from 1405 to 1434 were commanded by Admiral Zheng He out of the port city of Tai Cang. The whole fleet for Zheng's expedition to the Western lands consisted of more than 300 ships manned by over 28,000 people. In the seven major expeditions Admiral Zheng made over three decades, he built a total of 1,622 ships. Each of the 62 flag ships of the expeditionary fleet were roughly 475 feet long and 193 feet wide, holding a crew of 1,000. This is a newly created lantern for the Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival. Over 18 months, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Mercer University, and Kennesaw State University, Cambridge University Press, the Confucius Institute, Harvard University, and the China Studies Institute will host seminars on various topics related to Chinese history, culture, philosophy, business, trade, science, politics, foreign policy, inventions, and, contributions to civilization.

As a US first, this destination event will attract domestic and international tourist to the metropolitan area, and, the 11 southeastern states. The committee also seeks domestic sponsorships from government, business, and individuals to support the recently authorized PRC contributions.

This historic event will mark the culmination of attempts to bring or hold such an event since 1820 when the first Chinese were brought to America. Though Chinese in origin, the Lantern Festival is significant to the Asian community, attendance is truly rewarding to everyone. Lanterns in the home or business state that happiness, success, and good luck lives here.

Chinese Lantern Festivals were started in 208 BC by the First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang as a peaceful unification technique for former enemies in a new country named China. The lanterns are art, history, education, curious, interesting, and fun. They come in small, medium and giant sizes.

The small lanterns from 800 to 2500 light walkways; medium lanterns will demarcate special events along the walkway, including entertainment and vendors; and, 36 -44 giant lanterns are the focus of the event, they range in size from 27 to 286 feet long; 6 to 59 feet deep; and 10 to 52 feet high.

80 Lantern craftsmen shall construct the lanterns in four months, the exhibition will be open to the public for 70 days, and three weeks is needed to dismantle and restore the site

The Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival will have three lanterns never before conceived or constructed in the Festivals 2,216 years. Their construction has attracted additional thematic exhibitions from Hong Kong and Great Britain.

The Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival Committee has enlisted support from some area educators, non profit organizations, governments, business, and prominent individuals with interest in the People’s Republic of China. These are expected to grow to 18 local and 32 PRC universities and institutes, four PRC cities for education, business, tourism, and, investment. 42 media outlets in China, China Central Television’s (CCTV) 45 million subscribers in Europe, 170 million US citizens will receive regular reports, and, marketing and advertising information for six to 12 months. 350,000-400,000 visitors are expected to attend the Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival.

The most important results of the Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival will be the improved understanding for the publics of both countries, and, expanded relationships between schools, government, business, investors, and citizens.

For more information contact Dimitri Moore, Chairman ACLF at dimitri.moore@gmail.com (404.790.1412) or Glendon Thompson, President ACLF at gthompson@arcomgroup.net (404-444-1372)