The Joyful Yilan Year Kicks Off – Grandmas and Moms Rock Out to the “Broom Health Dance”

Reporter Chen Zi-Yin / Comprehensive Report

The Joyful Yilan Year event officially began yesterday (24th) after the lighting ceremony, and the first activity of the week was “Sweeping Away the Old to Welcome the New,” held at the Luye Cultural Factory. The site featured performances by dance troupes, who also led the public in a lively “broom health dance.” Various art groups and the Cup Theater joined in the fun under the bright sunshine, entertaining the crowds.


▲ This year’s Joyful Yilan Year features brooms as its theme, with the opening week’s activities kicking off in high spirits. (Photo / Provided by Yilan County Government)

There was also an eco-friendly second-hand goods market, featuring recycled and repurposed furniture from 12 townships and city governments in Yilan, available for interested visitors to browse. Renowned calligraphers wrote Spring Festival couplets, while craft experts demonstrated how to make brooms using three materials: straw, silvergrass, and bamboo. The finished brooms could be taken home. Additionally, Mr. Pan Jin-Rui, designer of the 2014 Joyful Yilan Year zodiac-themed red envelopes, offered live printmaking demonstrations. The event ran from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The Joyful Yilan Year will host a New Year’s Eve party, starting at 9:00 PM on January 30th at the Luye Cultural Workshop. The evening’s activities include a stove-lighting ceremony, blessing card prayers, a “year beast” chase, traditional game challenges, a cultural market, stage performances including “Innovative Chinese Music,” a countdown to welcome the new year, and the distribution of commemorative red envelopes — all bringing the community together to celebrate the Lunar New Year.