"Baiming" is a unique cultural tradition of Matsu, meaning "arranging the night." The people of Matsu hold nighttime ceremonies to offer sacrifices and pay tribute to the gods, and this event has gradually evolved into a distinctive celebration. This year, marking the centennial of the founding of the nation, the Baiming Festival is grandly celebrated as the "Centennial Baiming Carnival." Wang Caihua, known for her "blessing" vibe, was invited as a guest to join the public in dancing the blessing dance for good fortune, making the Lantern Festival atmosphere even more lively.
South Ganmen - Temple of the Martial and Civil White Horse King. (Photo provided by Lienchiang County - )
The Lantern Festival Baiming Cultural Festival is a fusion of Matsu’s local culture, customs, and heritage, featuring competitions such as gong and drum board contests, the welcoming of the Golden Statue of the Min King, the lighting ceremony to open the festival, the "Two Masts Celebrate the Lantern Festival," the hundred-households sending joy lanterns, the enshrinement and worship ceremony of the Min King’s golden statue, parade prayers for blessings, the burning of horse feed, temple feasts, street parades, spirit-medium prayers from various districts, sending joy, Baiming parades and prayers for blessings across villages, extinguishing the lights, and dream-blessing rituals. The Spring Festival and Lantern Festival in Matsu kick off the new year in a joyous and bustling series of celebrations.
The festivities kick off with the Shangcai Ming (Colorful Night) on the 12th day of the first lunar month, while the gong and drum board competition invites drum and board teams from various villages and communities in Matsu to compete. Amidst the thunderous beats of drums and gongs, this grand carnival begins. In the evening, the four townships and five islands of Matsu will simultaneously light up their lanterns to launch the "2011 Two Masts Celebrate the Lantern Festival" event, praying for blessings and peace for travelers and their families joining the festivities.
The beautiful scenery of Juguang. (Photo provided by Lienchiang County - )
Additionally, the "Two Masts Celebrate the Lantern Festival" event, jointly organized by Matsu and Fuzhou’s Mawei, has entered its ninth edition this year. It is a major celebration where people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait come together to enjoy the Lantern Festival. The public can take boats to Fuzhou to attend the grand celebration gala held in Mawei. In addition to performances of songs, dances, and folk arts from both sides, the event also features a grand finale of a Lantern Festival fireworks show. The Lienchiang County Tourism Bureau has also partnered with travel agencies to launch special "Two Masts Celebrate the Lantern Festival" packages, allowing participants to enjoy both the Matsu Baiming Carnival and the Mawei Lantern Festival gala. Interested individuals are encouraged to join.
Matsu National Scenic Area: http://www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw/User/Main.aspx
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