One more opportunity to learn to craft these beautiful seasonal decorations with Leo and Lorena from Humboldt Ink! Details below!
Parol lanterns are traditional home crafted lanterns common in the Philippines through the holiday season. The brightly coloured lanterns are constructed from craft paper or cellophane with a frame of sticks, held together in an innovative fashion. Leo and Lorena Taquiqui of Humboldt Ink joined the staff at the Humboldt and District Museum on Wednesday night for a wonderful seasonal crafting session where adults and kids made their own lanterns for the holidays.
The lantern tradition has existed for hundreds of years, dating back to the arrival of Spaniards in the Philippines, said Leo.
“Every house back home, you can see them. Especially on Christmas Day, you can see a parol in the window. This is the traditional way of doing it that I’ll be teaching.”
The design is part of the Catholic tradition which is made to replicate the Star of Bethlehem that hung over the manger where Jesus lay. The paper tail is part of the design mimics that tail of the comet said to be that star. Materials used in the Philippines are bamboo, cellophane and crepe paper.
“It’s the star that the three wise men followed to the birthplace of Jesus – that's what it really symbolizes,” Lorena explained.
“Christmas is a big thing back home,” Leo added. “We start it September and we end it up in February. That’s how long our Christmas is.”
Children and adults clustered around lantern materials set out for them. The frame of wooden sticks was held together by elastic bands initially, while hot glue guns warmed up to adhere the different parts together. Leo and Lorena, along with Musuem staff, circulated among the participants, helping out and explaining the history of the ornaments. Even Santa and Mrs. Claus took a break from children’s Christmas lists to have a look at the progress of the amazing, crafted stars.
If you missed the Wednesday night session, you can still get in on the fun with two more opportunities, one this Saturday, December 9 and another on Saturday, December 16. Both sessions are from 4 to 5 pm. You’ll need to register to participate. Call the Museum at 306.682.5226 or email info@humboldtmuseum.ca to sign up.