Buskers return to square
The World Buskers Festival has returned to Cathedral Square for the first time since 2011.
Canadian performer Sharon Mahoney said it was an ‘‘honour’’ to be the first performer back in the square for the festival since the February 2011 earthquake.
‘‘This is probably the best show I have ever had in front of a derelict cathedral,’’ she said yesterday.
‘‘It was so lovely. Christchurch people are determined not to let the earthquake break their spirits or their city. But looking up you have a constant reminder.’’
Before the earthquake, the square was one of the festival’s main performance spaces, with buskers regularly drawing large crowds in front of the cathedral. The festival was largely held in a cluster of temporary venues in Hagley Park in the years after the quake.
This year, buskers will be performing on Cashel St, outside the Christchurch Art Gallery and in the Arts Centre.
Buskers will also perform in Cathedral Square on Friday nights to coincide with the food market.
Busker Reuben Dot Dot Dot was one of the first to perform in the new pitch on the corner of High and Cashel streets yesterday afternoon. ‘‘It was lovely to perform in the city centre,’’ he said. ‘‘I have good memories of performing here before.’’
The World Buskers Festival runs until January 28.