Christmas meeting of the cultures

A ‘‘league of nations’’ met at the Marlborough Multicultural Centre for their last morning tea of the year, with some attendees about to spend their first Christmas in New Zealand.

Nearly 20 newcomers from more than 10 different countries attended, some who have called Blenheim home for decades and others who have arrived in recent months.

Although a time of joy and traditions, migrant services manager Margaret Western said Christmas could be a time that brought sadness for those living far away from family.

‘‘I hope the friendships made through these social get-togethers can be extended over the holiday period when perhaps it can be and is sometimes a lonely time for people,’’ she said.

‘‘Whatever our beliefs and traditions are around Christmas, I think we would all agree that it is a time to bring hope for peace throughout the world and a spirit of goodwill and connectedness in the Marlborough community.’’

Shashi Lokuge, from Sri Lanka, came to Blenheim 21⁄2 years ago with her children Ranuga and Tenara. While they were Buddhist, not Christian, Lokuge said they usually celebrated Christmas with a tree and lights in Sri Lanka. This year they were looking forward to a picnic and good food.

Lily Chen came to Blenheim from Taiwan five years ago and appreciates a summer Christmas.

‘‘In our imagination Christmas should be cold and in the snow but here it is different, it is in the summer. It is good.’’

John Black, originally from Ireland, has been coming to New Zealand for many years. He recently settled in Blenheim with his partner and daughter. He was looking forward to spending Christmas with them, as well as his daughter’s mother and stepfather.

Chilean Isabel Flores will be spending her first Christmas in New Zealand, with her husband, who is Eastern European. Flores normally celebrated Christmas in Chile with a dinner and celebrations on December 24. She said in Chile the tree often stayed up until January.

‘‘I don’t have religion but I am a Christian in values,’’ she said.

She was looking forward to adapting her Christmas traditions in New Zealand with her children and husband.