Taiwanese, British, and Chinese works gather at the Sanyi International Wood Carving Festival, kicking off on the 15th

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin

The craft of wood carving in Sanyi has a history of nearly a hundred years, and the annual Sanyi International Wood Carving Art Festival, which attracts large numbers of tourists every year, has now entered its tenth year. This year’s festival will take place from September 15 to September 30. The “2012 Taiwan International Wood Carving Competition,” part of the series of events for the wood carving festival, attracted participants from 13 countries, including 66 contestants who submitted a total of 77 works. Nine award-winning pieces will be exhibited at the Sanyi Wood Carving Museum. The festival also invites contemporary wood carving works from the UK, Zhejiang in China, and local Taiwanese artists to showcase the cultural essence of various countries. In addition, the series of events includes themed artistic performances and nighttime activities such as guided walking tours led by experts, allowing visitors to experience the festival’s diverse offerings.

This year’s “2012 Sanyi International Wood Carving Art Festival” is themed “Lighting Up Sanyi, Let’s Get Artistic!” and will begin with an opening ceremony on September 15 at the Shuimei Dajici Parking Lot. The event will feature performances by Zhuolan Shi Zhong Competitive Dragon, which has won championships in Asian competitive dragon dancing, the a cappella group Focal Plus, and the Sanyi Junior High School Orchestra. The night will conclude with a “Lighting Up Sanyi” light and fireworks show.

During the three-week carnival, various themed artistic performances will be held in front of the Wood Carving Museum. These include family-friendly shows like Jelly Sister and Harry the Magician; Hakka new sounds performed by Hsiao Pei-ju and Kao Chiu-chin; dance and music parties by the Blazing Fire Troupe and Ailemen; and nostalgic classic hits sung by vocal impersonators Golden Voice Little Teresa Teng and Little Cai Qin. Visitors can also join fun mini-games and DIY wood art experiences, or exchange receipts from purchases made in Sanyi that day for festival souvenirs.

The event site will also host a live competition among 20 wood carvers from the Sanyi Wood Carving Association, showcasing the finesse of their craft. Visitors can also check out live art creations on Che Ting Master’s Street and Sculpture South Street. Additionally, those visiting Sanyi at night can sign up for the “Love Wood Life Walking Tour” in the Shuimei Arts Business District, where guides lead treasure hunts at small shops and showcase nighttime street art. The “Nighttime Art & Vitality Market” will offer a variety of classic Hakka cuisine, a wide range of creative cultural products, and entertaining street performances.

For transportation, the Sanyi Township Office has arranged seamless tour shuttle services. The “Red Line” runs from Sanyi Railway Station to Longteng Broken Bridge, passing by the Huoyanshan Forest Ecology Education Hall, Shuimei Carving Street, Shengxing Station, Longteng Broken Bridge, and West Lake Resort. It operates from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with a bus every 25 minutes. The “Blue Line” runs from Sanyi Railway Station to Liyutan Reservoir, passing by the Huoyanshan Forest Ecology Education Hall, Shuimei Carving Street, West Lake Resort, Liyu Elementary School, and Liyutan Reservoir. It operates from 9:15 AM to 4:55 PM, with a bus every 40 minutes. The service is free, and buses can be flagged down anywhere along the route. For detailed event information, please visit the website www.sanyi-woodcarving.com.tw.

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