The Taiwan Lantern Festival opens in Hsinchu — Mickey and Minnie come to Taiwan

Tourism Center / Taipei Report

Having built up extensive experience over the years, the Taiwan Lantern Festival has gained international acclaim. The U.S. Discovery Channel once recommended it as one of the world’s top festive events. The highly anticipated “2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival” will officially kick off on the 24th (the 15th day of the first lunar month) in the HSR Hsinchu Station Special Zone, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County. President Ma will preside over the lighting ceremony, marking the start of a 15-day exhibition that runs until March 10.


▲The “2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival” will open on February 24 in the HSR Hsinchu Station Special Zone, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County. (Photo / Courtesy of Hsinchu County Government official website)

This year (2013) is the Year of the Snake. The main lantern of the Taiwan Lantern Festival, titled “Soaring Dragon Ushers in Prosperity,” features a soaring dragon symbolizing the flourishing and thriving development of society and the nation. The main lantern stands over 20 meters in both height and span, weighing approximately 26 metric tons. Its design concept, “A Soaring Dragon Ushers in Prosperity and Abundant Harvests, Lofty Integrity Reaches the Clouds,” presents an image of a proud, soaring form. The dragon rises from water into the clouds, surrounded by swirling mist, exuding a majestic aura. It symbolizes harmony between heaven and earth, coexistence, virtue, and prosperity, as well as praying for favorable weather for the nation and nurturing a wealth of talent in Hsinchu.

The main lantern performance interprets six themes through six stages: “Bamboo Charm and Spirit,” “Elite of Technology,” “Equality for All,” “Social Harmony,” “Soaring Dragon Ushers in Prosperity,” and “Rising Step by Step.” Amidst the interplay of traditional zodiac culture, artistic expression, and modern technology, the main lantern rotates smoothly and steadily 360 degrees, symbolizing social harmony, peace, and prosperity.

Four auxiliary lanterns, created by skilled lantern artists using traditional craftsmanship, are designed based on the festival’s theme and tourism appeal. They include giant composite lanterns with auspicious motifs such as “Prosperity Through Wealth and Happiness,” “Abundance of Fortune,” “Peace with Elephants,” and “Golden Phoenix in Flight,” continuing the legacy of traditional lantern artistry.


▲The dream bus from “Tokyo Disneyland Resort,” along with Mickey, Minnie, and other friends, will also come to Taiwan. (Photo / Provided by ETToday News)

The opening day performances are the highlight of the lantern festival. The internationally renowned “Tokyo Disneyland Resort” dream bus, along with Mickey, Minnie, and their friends, made their first overseas performance at the 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival last year, attracting a record-breaking one million visitors in a single day. This year’s opening event once again invites Disney characters to join the street parade and perform on the main stage.

In addition, the lantern festival has invited renowned Japanese singer and Taiwan Tourism Ambassador Ms. Sachiko Kobayashi to attend the opening ceremony and perform a blessing song for the 2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival. Performances will begin at 1:30 p.m. on February 24 with a street parade and continue with major shows on the main stage starting at 4 p.m. The traditional lantern-lighting ceremony, featuring a horn blast, drumbeats, and gong strikes, will be led by the president and the public as they count down together. The six-step main lantern show will then be unveiled (detailed schedule in the appendix). During the festival, the main lantern will be displayed at 6:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. every evening, and until 10:45 p.m. on holidays, with each 3-minute show taking place at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. The festivities will continue until 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.