Maori culture celebrated at launch of 2016 Salisbury International Arts Festival
MAORI culture was at the heart of the celebrations to launch the 2016 Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival.
A specially commissioned opening ceremony, Whakatuwhera, was held in Cathedral Close last night, which drew on the Maori welcome powhiri and the arts of kapa haka.
Spectators gathered around a circle of fire to watch the opening ceremony.
Under festival chorus director Howard Moody, hundreds of singers burst in to song to welcome Ngati Ranana - Maori arts club.
They then joined together to sing a special chorus.
The 16-day festival runs until June 11. It will be celebrating the arts and culture of New Zealand.
For the full festival line-up go to salisburyfestival.co.uk
- Click here to go see all the pictures from last night's opening ceremony
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