Seize the opportunity！The 2017 Taiwan Lantern Festival is coming to a close—catch the final main lantern show at 22:30

▲The 2017 Taiwan Lantern Festival concludes in Yunlin on 2/19. (Photo / Reporter Lai Wen-xuan, same below)

Reporter Lai Wen-xuan / Taipei Reporting

This year’s 2017 Taiwan Lantern Festival will come to an end on February 19 (Sunday) at the Huwei Main Lantern Area in Yunlin. From 6:20 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. that day, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has invited nine outstanding domestic performance groups to present spectacular shows on the main stage in front of the main lantern. The final main lantern show will be held at 22:30 as the last performance, bringing a perfect close to the 2017 Taiwan Lantern Festival. Those who haven’t visited yet should grab this last chance！

According to the Tourism Bureau, the closing performances will feature “Niehsong Junior High School” and “Feiyun Dance Theater” from Yunlin, showcasing lively dance performances along with innovative pieces that blend hip-hop and folk music. In addition, “Taiwan Flying Dragon Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe” will make a powerful appearance, presenting a dynamic scene of dragons flying and phoenixes dancing. “Jazz Age Dance Theater” will bring back the youthful energy of the 60s and 70s with their doo-wop dance medley. “Atayal Traditional Dance Workshop” will welcome the arrival of spring with indigenous song and dance. “Fusa Brazilian Percussion Ensemble” will combine Rukai ancient songs, Brazilian dance music, and LED dance performances.

The thunderous beats of “Drum Soul Titanium Drum” will echo between light and shadow, demonstrating profound power and beauty. “Tiger Theater Troupe” will collaborate with “TBALLSTAR” and world yo-yo champion “Miaoli Houlong Elementary School Yo-Yo Team” to deliver a cross-disciplinary performance integrating yo-yo tricks, martial arts, and street dance, presenting a visually and aurally stunning drama. The evening will conclude with a grand finale by the Peking and Kunqu Opera Troupe and the Acrobatics Troupe from the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts, featuring folk acrobatic acts such as spinning balance bikes, four-person contortion, and double pole climbing.

However, although the Huwei Lantern Area of this year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival will come to a close, the Beigang Lantern Area will remain open due to the peak pilgrimage season at Chaotian Temple. Following active efforts by the Beigang Township Office, the four lantern areas surrounding Chaotian Temple in Beigang Town will be preserved until April 23, after the celebration of Mazu’s birthday. Meanwhile, the religious-themed lantern creations from the Huwei Lantern Area will also be relocated to the Beigang Lantern Area for continued display.