The Keelung Ghost Festival goes high-tech this year with its first-ever “cold light fireworks show”!

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Keelung’s annual highlight, the “Keelung Ghost Festival,” takes place in the seventh lunar month. This year, the Xie family clan association is the main organizer. In addition to traditional rituals such as opening and closing the spirit altar doors and the Ghost Festival prayers, the event will also feature“Cold Light Fireworks Show”,Water Dance Light Art, and the water lantern parade will incorporate large “lotus lantern stands” and “lantern toppers.” The grand finale will be the “Jumping of Zhong Kui” ritual.

▲ Keelung Ghost Festival prayer ceremony. (Photo / Courtesy ofthe Keelung Ghost Festival Facebook fan page, images from the 2012 event)

The Xie family clan association stated that this year’s Ghost Festival theme is “Promoting Folklore, Showcasing Technology, Following Ancient Rites, and Respecting Tradition.” The highlights — the opening and closing of the spirit altar doors — will follow century-old ceremonial procedures. The “Lighting of the Lanterns” at the main altar on the 12th day of the seventh lunar month will use cold light safety fireworks, emulating the 101 Fireworks Spectacular to bring the public the beauty of light and art.

▲ Keelung Ghost Festival parade. (Photo / Courtesy ofthe 2012 Keelung Ghost Festival website, images from the 2012 event)

On the 14th day of the seventh lunar month, there will be a water lantern floating and parade event. The Xie family clan association noted that this year’s water lantern entry ceremony will involve younger generations carrying large lotus lantern stands and lantern toppers, symbolizing the mission of cultural inheritance. Before the parade, fishing boats will depart from Jinshan and Wanli, cruising around Keelung Islet and the Northeast Coast, patrolling the four major sea areas of “Jin, Ji, Die, and Shi” before entering Keelung Harbor, where they will form up in formation.

The Xie family clan association said that the “Bu Gu” (literally “Supplementing the Lonely Spirits”) event at the end of the seventh lunar month will conclude the Ghost Festival with a 90-minute Zhong Kui jumping ritual.