The Taiwan Lantern Competition is held yearly on the fifteenth day of the Chinese language New 12 months (元宵; Yuan Xiao), or Chap Goh Mei as we name it in Singapore.
The pageant is a serious showcase of Taiwan’s wealthy cultural heritage and hospitality and is hosted by a special metropolis in Taiwan every year, with capital metropolis Taipei taking part in hostest with the mostest this yr.
This yr’s lantern pageant is further special- it’s the first large-scale celebratory occasion open to worldwide guests since Taiwan totally reopened to vacationers in October 2022.
Popping out of a 3 yr international pandemic, the pageant is sort of a big buoyant occasion to have fun Taiwan’s return to normalcy.
Celebrating the theme “Mild Up the Future,” the pageant will illuminate Taipei till 19 February with lots of of gigantic lantern shows and pop-ups throughout varied places, from Taipei’s East District, Songshan Cultural and Artistic Park, Solar Yat-Sen Memorial Corridor, Xinyi Business District, to Taipei 101, bathing the entire metropolis in a celebratory and optimistic ambiance.
The lantern shows are intricately designed and mix components from conventional Chinese language legends, folktales, and cultural motifs with expertise.
This yr’s showstopper lantern, the 22-meter-tall “Sensible Mild of the Jade Hare,” is positioned on the Solar Yat-sen Memorial Corridor. The robotic rabbit in an area go well with is impressed by Taiwan’s cutting-edge semiconductor trade.
Enjoyable reality: The rabbit’s facial expressions are based mostly on Taiwan Olympic gold medalist weightlifter Kuo Hsing-chun, captured utilizing efficiency seize expertise. Remember to catch the rabbit come alive in a musical gentle present that can happen each half-hour!
See Taipei’s landmarks, buildings and alleyways illuminated in spellbinding colors within the night time. It’s beautiful strolling round Taipei in February given the cool and delicate climate.
Pictures above courtesy of the Taipei Metropolis Authorities.
Free presents
At the side of the Lantern pageant, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau has organized at no cost presents for vacationers comparable to a DIY rabbit lantern and fresh-cut fruits. Discover extra info on the Taiwan Tourism Bureau web site.
Lacking this yr’s Taiwan Lantern Competition? Look out for subsequent yr’s!
In case you are unable to go to the Taiwan Lantern Competition this yr, you may at all times look ahead to the following one. Heads up that the 2024 Taiwan Lantern Competition might be held in Tainan!
Take a look at the Taiwan Lantern Competition in earlier years:
2023 Taiwan Lantern Competition in Taipei
5- 19 February 2023
Official web site: https://tw-light.taipei/en
