The Fengyuan Art Week kicks off on the 3rd, featuring two-story-tall lanterns showcasing Chinese style

By Liu Jiawen, compiled and reported

In addition to the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival being held at Taichung’s Wenxin Forest Park this year, the Fengyuan District Office’s Cultural and Arts Plaza will host an Art Week event from February 3 to February 8. The site will display "Loong Shining Across the World" traditional Chinese ink painting lanterns created by nearly 30 painters, reaching a height of two stories. From 6 to 9 p.m. during the event period, a light and sound show will be performed every half hour. Additionally, an ink painting lantern area has been planned, displaying 120 small hand-held lanterns with ink art created by artists. Under the large banyan tree, there is also a blessing lantern area where visitors can freely take and hang blessing cards. Moreover, 500 bowls of hot glutinous rice balls will be given out for free each night, allowing the public to enjoy the lantern displays as well as delicious food.

The site also hosts six themed exhibitions, including the lacquerware exhibition from the Taichung Prison Seven Color Workshop, an old photos exhibition of Fengyuan, and a pastry cultural relics and gift box exhibition, among others. Each evening features a variety of exciting evening shows with different themes, such as Postal Night, Jazz, and Classic Golden Hits. On February 6, the joyful “Loong Happy Lantern Festival Gala” will feature a spectacular lantern festival fireworks display.

The Pastry Carnival event invites well-known pastry businesses from Greater Taichung to participate. The site features 30 stalls selling local pastry delicacies. Free raffle tickets are also available for visitors to fill out, with prizes including iPads and various pastry gift boxes. Visitors who spend over NT$300 at the stalls can receive a limited-edition commemorative lantern hat, while supplies last.