The annual folk performance of the Matsu Peace Salt Ceremony and cultural exhibitions in Kinmen

Written/Compiled and reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network

 

The four experimental stations under Kinmen County Government—agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and animal husbandry—have held an annual exhibition showcasing agricultural and fishery achievements during the Spring Festival for over a decade. This year, the Kinmen County Fisheries Research Institute will team up with the Kinmen Tianhou Temple to hold the “2013 New Year Ocean Culture Exhibition and Wudao Matsu Peace Salt Ceremony Series” from February 10 to February 12 (the first to third days of the Lunar New Year), between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, across three venues: the Fisheries Research Institute, Kinmen Tianhou Temple, and the Stone Sculpture Park. During the event, peace salt lucky bags will be distributed, along with folk performances such as lion dances for good fortune, lotus gong and drum teams, and the electric-powered San Taizi (folk deity) performance from Zhongyi Temple. Other activities include a Pearl Treasures Cultural Exhibition, a Rare and Colorful Aquatic Life Exhibition, an oyster-shucking experience competition, and DIY shellfish installation art.

Weng Zibao, director of the Fisheries Research Institute, noted that the institute will focus on the theme “Peace Salt Ceremony, Smooth Sailing” in 2013, with the “Pearl Treasures Cultural Exhibition” serving as the thematic highlight of the ocean culture series. The opening event, the “Wudao Matsu Peace Salt Ceremony,” will begin at 9:00 AM on the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10) with scripture chanting and blessings by the Kinmen Tianhou Temple’s prayer group for national peace and prosperity. The “peace salt” will be blessed and infused with good fortune, after which a limited number of peace salt lucky bags will be distributed.

 

Following the Peace Salt Ceremony, a variety of folk performances will take place, including lion dances for good fortune, Matsu dances, the Twelve Fairy Aunties procession, the “Husband Carrying Wife” act, the Nanmen Volunteer Team’s “Wandering the World,” the Ximen group’s “Dancing Clam Spirit on Dry Land,” and sign language performances of “Welcoming Spring Flowers,” as well as lotus gong and drum teams. Additionally, throughout the day, local community groups and talented students from schools in the district will perform, featuring diabolo acts from Jinding Elementary School, drum team performances from Shushuo Elementary School, Zhengyi Elementary School, and Gucheng Elementary School, the electric-powered San Taizi from Zhongyi Temple, the Matsu Wind Lion King Electric Group’s Wind Lion King San Taizi and Nine Dragons King Battle Drums, and street dance performances by a dance troupe. Cute character mascots will also roam the event area, distributing balloons featuring marine life designs.

Additionally, this year’s event combines the “Wudao Matsu Peace Salt Ceremony” and the “Ocean Culture Exhibition Series,” and includes a Pearl Treasures Cultural Exhibition, a Rare and Colorful Aquatic Life Exhibition, an oyster-shucking experience competition, a Happy Family BBQ Seafood event, a shellfish installation art DIY workshop, a “Year of the Fish” free fishing experience, a “Stitching (Prosperity) Luck” net-mending experience, marine aquatic film screenings, a fair with 25 food stalls, and castle inflatable games. In line with the “Treasure Hunt for Blessings” activity, visitors can participate in experiences across different zones and exchange five collected blessing stamps for a 30 NT garden coupon to use at the fair stalls. This year, the Fisheries Research Institute has prepared 15,000 garden coupons to enhance the festive atmosphere.

 

 

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