Thousands of people flood the center of the city of Wellington for the return of CubaDupa

Walking down Cuba St during New Zealand’s biggest street festival, it’s hard to imagine that just a year ago, the city was on lockdown. Or imagine that few people in the world can party in large crowds.

But it happened in Wellington this weekend. Tens of thousands of people packed CubaDupa for his triumphant return to the streets, a year after Covid-19 forced its cancellation and two years after the attack on the Christchurch Mosque forced it inside.

An estimated 120,000 attended on Saturday alone, easily surpassing the crowd of 100,000 who visit the festival over two days in a normal year.

When asked how it felt to be back, festival director Gerry Paul replied, “You will thrill me.”

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“Our mihi whakatau yesterday, our welcome, having people in place and realizing that it was the first time in three years since we last hit the road, it was just huge.”

Walking down the street, people were grinning from ear to ear, he said. “There was such a lovely feeling and atmosphere among the community. I think everyone knows how lucky we are. “

He guessed this year’s CubaDupa was the biggest street festival in the world. “I cannot imagine that there is something gathered with more than 120,000 people in one place anywhere else in the world.”

The only indication of the Covid-19 pandemic was the “sani squad” wandering the street, handing out hand sanitizer and encouraging people to use their QR codes to scan. Paul also heard that Chief Health Officer Ashley Bloomfield had paid a visit. .

The weekend was packed with more than 19 hours of entertainment, including more than 500 performances, 20 parades, and more than 1,750 performers.

“Troy Kingi last night blew me away. His band, his performance, was packed, shoulder to shoulder, everyone was signing and smiling, “said Paul.

But the highlight was seeing the community come together.

“Cuba St, there is no other place like it in the world, and it attracts these creatives,” said Paul. “Thanks to Wellington, we sometimes have a hard time for the press, but no one else in the world can do a festival like this, it is so unique and extraordinary and we should all be proud of that.”

The main stage hosted artists such as Jess B, Hans Pucket and Richter City Rebels, with stage artwork designed by Miriama Grace-Smith, Xoe Hall and Gina Kiel.

CubaDupa wasn’t the only opportunity for Wellington’s creative and diverse community to come out and celebrate over the weekend.

The rainbow community wrapped up two weeks of the Wellington Pride Festival, Tū Whakahīhī e Te Whanganui-ā-Tara, with a Pride Hīkoi at the Michael Fowler Center, the venue for Out in the City.

At Waitangi Park, the best skaters in the country gathered at Bowlzilla to crown the National Park Skating Champion.

And Massey University unveiled its new marae, Te Whaioranga or Te Whaiao, in a sunrise ceremony on Saturday.