Wear a mask and hit the streets!"Taiwan's version of Carnival" kicks off in Yilan for a lively celebration

▲Performers from well-known art troupes will accompany you through an artistic evening at the Yilan Lohas Festival with music and dance. (Photo / from the Eat, Drink, Play & Explore Yilan Facebook page)

Tourism Center / Taipei Report

The "2013 Yilan International Lohas Festival," organized by Yilan City, will take place from July 27 to August 10. This year’s festival is themed around "joyful childhood wonder and wild imagination," featuring performances by internationally renowned art troupes. The grand finale, an "International Joyful Parade," is like a Taiwanese version of a carnival.

▲Shakespeare’s great works are reimagined through unique artistic styles in improvised performances. (Photo / from the Eat, Drink, Play & Explore Yilan Facebook page)

This year’s event includes a head-to-head performance battle between France’s giant puppets and Yilan’s divine generals, as well as shows by internationally acclaimed art groups from Australia, France, Germany, and more. Russian paper art masters will also be on-site, guiding thousands of participants in creating their own unique mask designs. On August 10, during the "International Joyful Parade," everyone will take to the streets together, creating an international carnival atmosphere.

Additionally, the "Lohas International Art Theater," a collaboration between Australia’s Murray River Puppet, France’s Grand Peuple Marionette, Germany’s Stelzer Puppet Theater, and France’s Pointe-à-Point Troupe, along with the "Yilan Lohas Showtime" performed by various Yilan City communities, Lohas Academies, and Nanyang Charity Schools, add plenty of fun topics to the festival. Beyond the Yilan International Lohas Festival, nearby traditional events include the Yilan City Starlight Music Concert, Yilan International Hotel Festival, and Yilan Water Lantern Festival.