Written & Reported by MOOK Travel Life Net’s Chen Guanxin
The 2014 Imaginart Carnival will take place at Dream Mall from March 29–30, a festival co-organized by Kaohsiung City Government’s Department of Information and Dream Mall. This year’s theme, “Spinning the Colorful Dreams of France,” features special collaborations with art troupes from France and the United States,including a parade with 35 floats such as the “Flame & Steel Pirate Ship,” a children’s “Animal Carnival Street Party,” the Imaginart Market, and a community float parade in Xinzhuang River.Citizens are welcome to join in the vibrant festivities this weekend.
![](\"/pic/20200312/b658e300bd84c0fae6ae34729ca59505.jpg\")
The 2014 Imaginart Carnival will kick off at Dream Mall this weekend. (Photo provided by Kaohsiung City Government)
This year’s carnival, themed “Spinning the Colorful Dreams of France,” incorporates creative and international cultural elements. The highlightis the float street parade, which will kick off at 3:00 PM on March 29 along Era Boulevard, featuring 35 contingents and nearly 700 participants.The main float — the “Flame & Steel Pirate Ship” — was jointly created by six French artists using driftwood, scrap metal, CDs, and other materials, along with creative touches like the Eiffel Tower and swings, resulting in a lively and whimsical pirate ship. The artists themselves will dress as pirates and join in the fun. Other highlights include a cavalry sea-horse float, the Brazilian Soccer Team float, and performances by indigenous children’s samba drums, community groups, samba dancers, and the Bean Theater Troupe, inviting everyone to experience an international carnival atmosphere.
The children’s “Animal Carnival Street Party” at 3:00 PM on March 30 at Dream Mall will see over 300 kids transform into animals representing various musical instruments as music plays, resembling dancing notes that compose a unique and imaginative symphony in tribute to French composer Saint-Saëns. Additionally,on the afternoon of March 30, the Kaohsiung City Carnival will be held simultaneously in the Xinzhuang River shopping district, featuring samba dancers, samba drummers, belly dance troupes, and elaborately decorated floats..
![](\"/pic/20200312/46c11070b7b2208708117a4dd585c9c3.jpg\")
Over 40 renowned performance art groups will take part in the event. (Photo provided by Kaohsiung City Government)
The March 29–30 carnival has invited art troupes from Nice, France, and the United States for a cross-border collaboration. Over three months, they used 20 tons of recycled steel to create the 11.5-meter-tall giant installation art piece — “Belzebuth Beat: The Rhythm Devil. The Sound of Barium” — showcasing a perfect fusion of steel and fire art. In addition, there will be over 100 specialty stalls offering international cuisine, French goods, local specialties, and indigenous markets, plus performances by more than 40 renowned arts groups including percussion ensembles, dance troupes, musicians, children’s theater, the Ten Drums Troupe, the Nine Heavens Folk Arts Troupe, Ming Hua Yuan Star Troupe, If Kids Theater Troupe, Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe, and the Xiban African Drum Troupe.
● Travel from Kaohsiung to Japan
Direct flights from Kaohsiung to Kumamoto to launch as early as July
![\"\"](\"http://www.mook.com.tw/images/upload/ckeditor/article/images/20140327_11241533.jpg\")
www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=9791