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Welcome - People gathered to celebrate and promote multiculturalism, welcoming refugees into their inclusive communities.

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Vivid Sydney - It may not be in the same league as Vivid Sydney's Light, Music and Ideas Festival, but the powerful meaning behind the lantern parade has lived on for 11 years now.

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Multicultural Development Australia - The event was run by Multicultural Development Australia (MDA), an independent, non-government organisation.

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Culturally diverse - MDA work with people from culturally-diverse backgrounds, and providing new Queenslanders with a wide variety of services.

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New Queenslanders - New Queenslanders include international students, refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants.

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Largest - MDA is one of the largest multicultural agencies in Queensland.

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Foster - According to their website, "MDA exists to foster a welcoming, inclusive, globally-connected and economically strong Queensland".

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15,000 people - Luminous Lantern Parade is Queensland’s largest welcome event, with over 15,000 people attending each year.

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Lanterns - All the lanterns have their own story behind them. Whether it is the logo of a community group, a cultural symbol, or even just a well-known character.

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Characters - Some of the characters presented this year are from books like 'Where the Wild Things Are', and 'Alice in Wonderland'.

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Dame Edna - Even a lantern version of Dame Edna has made an appearance in the past.

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Exhibition - After the parade, there was a free cultural concert in the South Bank Cultural Forecourt, and also a Lantern exhibition.

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Dancing - To celebrate all cultures there was performances in the parade, from the Indigenous community as well as African, Asian, European, Middle Eastern and South American communities.

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Traditional - Performers donned traditional dress to express their culture's history and traditions.

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South Bank - South Bank in Brisbane lit up the night sky with glowing lanterns during the event last Friday.

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Brisbane Lions - The Brisbane Lions AFL team were present at the parade with their team mascot as their lantern.

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Candlelight - According to the Daily Mail, the parade began 11 years ago with just 50 people converging for a walk by candlelight.

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Grown - Since then it has grown to over 15,000 attendees and more than 400 lanterns.

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Happy Birthday Queensland! - Coinciding with Queensland’s Birthday, Luminous Lantern Parade is the biggest event during Queensland Week.

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Special message - All the communities that participated in the parade had a special message to welcome new Queenslanders.

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Held - The lanterns of all colours and sizes were held by representatives from government, council, business and community groups and the broader Brisbane community.

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Opportunity - The event gave all Queenslanders the opportunity to say "Welcome" to the newest local Australians.

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Hope - This illuminating event symbolises hope and creates welcome each year.

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Celebrate - This year's Luminous Lantern Parade celebrated 20 years of MDA.

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Small to large - Small to large lanterns were included in the parade. The smaller ones could be held individually, and the larger ones held by groups.

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Luminous Lantern Parade - The Luminous Lantern Parade invited everyone from small community groups to big corporate brands to join in the fun.

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Backdrop - The wonderful location along South Bank had the backdrop of the River City.

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Food stalls - The event also provided food and drink form all over the world at the food stalls.

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Activities - It also included fun for the family with activities and rides for all ages.

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