News Flash / “2014 Taipei Lantern Festival” Happy Light Sea and Landmark Light Zones Extended for One More Week

▲ The “2014 Taipei Lantern Festival” concluded on the 16th, but the “Happy Light Sea” on Zhongshan North Road will be extended until the evening of February 23. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taipei City Government’s Department of Civil Affairs announced today that, in response to public demand, the Taipei Lantern Festival will be extended for one week, and the 4-kilometer-long “Happy Light Sea” along Zhongshan North Road and the MRT route will continue to be illuminated.

During the Taipei Lantern Festival, the weather was damp and cold, and visitor turnout was much lower than expected. It wasn’t until the 14th, 15th, and 16th, when the weather cleared up, that the festival grounds were packed with visitors. However, many still wanted more, and the Department of Civil Affairs said it received numerous requests from the public over the past two days asking for an extension of the festival.

The Department of Civil Affairs explained that Director Huang Lv-jinru held a discussion meeting on the evening of February 15, but due to considerations such as the fact that maintaining the Taipei Lantern Festival for one additional day requires approximately 1,100 personnel, and because all 12 light zones were procured through contracts, it was difficult to amend the performance deadlines of all 12 contracts within just one day. Additionally, the manpower, electricity, and other costs required for the extension also needed comprehensive consideration, so the festival concluded as originally scheduled last night.

▲ Admire the “Happy Light Sea” and also see the lifelike and playful “Round Baby” lantern decorations!(Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

This morning, the topic of extending the lantern festival continued to gain traction. The Department of Civil Affairs stated that, in response to public expectations, and following a report made by Director Huang Lv-jinru to the city government, it has been decided that the 4-kilometer-long “Happy Taipei Light Sea”—comprising 2.9 kilometers along Zhongshan North Road and 1.1 kilometers along the MRT route, which have received support and praise from local businesses and visitors since their unveiling on January 25 and showcase iconic imagery of Taipei—will be extended until 11:30 p.m. on February 23.

In addition, the landscape light displays at Yuanshan and Taipei Fine Arts Park will also be retained until 11:30 p.m. on February 23, and special performance programs will be held at the Yuanshan Expo Park from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on February 21, 22, and 23.

Huang Lv-jinru expressed hope that the public will take advantage of these rare days of good weather, and that families or friends can gather at the festival grounds—to enjoy the flowers during the day and stroll through the romantic Happy Light Sea in the evening. (News source: Central News Agency)