The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival kicks off on Jan. 28 / Mayor Chen Chu unveils the “Happy Horse” mini lantern ahead of time

▲ The pink and powder-blue “Happy Horse” mini lantern was unveiled on the 16th.

Reported and photographed by Chen Rui-zhong / Taipei

On January 16, the Kaohsiung City Government, led by Mayor Chen Chu, unveiled the design of the 2014 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival mini lantern, the “Happy Horse,” to build excitement for the upcoming event.
%The city government hopes the public will feel that this year’s Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is even more special than in previous years.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu said,this year’s Kaohsiung Lantern Festival will take place from January 28 to February 23, making it not only the earliest lantern festival in Taiwan, but also covering the Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and the Lantern Festival—allowing the public to enjoy a complete lantern festival experience. Chen Chu also noted that this year’s“Happy Horse” mini lanternis made with two types of Hakka fabric in peach blossom and powder blue, along with elements of the tung blossom, symbolizing love and happiness.

Hsu Chuan-sheng, Director of the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau, also mentioned that this year’s lantern festival breaks away from past geographical limitations, featuringthree mountain lantern zones—Qishan, Gangshan, and Fo Guang Shan—as well as illuminated decorations across downtown commercial areas such as Sanduo, Wufu, and Love River, plus major thoroughfares. Eleven locally themed lantern archways will also be set up around the city, giving visitors a unique lantern festival experience.