The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival kicks off on January 27, giving away 60,000 dragon-shaped wearable lanterns

By Liu Jiawen, compiled report

The 2012 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Arts Festival will kick off on Friday, January 27, setting off the first wave of enthusiasm among lantern festivals nationwide. The event will continue until February 6, the Lantern Festival. In addition to the Love River and Glory Pier, the festival will also combine opening ceremonies in Qishan and Gangshan for the first time. Activities include a collective dragon-year blessing, the "Flying Dragon in the Sky" fireworks show, and the "Fortune Turning" lantern float. Additionally, 60,000 free "Soaring Dragon" wearable lanterns will be given out to let the public celebrate the festive season.

To allow the public to experience the joyful atmosphere of the New Year festivities, the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is holding opening events in three locations for the first time. On January 27 at Qishan Drum Mountain Park, there will be a collective blessing and wish-writing activity; on the 28th at Gangshan Riverbank Park, a “Fortune Turning” lantern float will be set up for the public to hang small blessing lanterns for good luck; and on the 29th at Glory Pier and along the Love River, opening fireworks will be launched. Additionally, this year’s lantern festival will debut a “Sea Gallery” at Glory Pier, featuring five floating installations co-created by calligrapher Zhang Binghuang and sculptor Wang Xiuqi.

Breaking from the tradition of handing out handheld lanterns, this year’s Kaohsiung Lantern Festival introduces a creative wearable lantern called the “Soaring Dragon.” A total of 60,000 will be given out for free. From January 27 to 29, they will be available for collection daily starting at 3 PM, with a limit of two per person. Collection points include Qishan, Gangshan, Glory Pier, and the Love River. For more information, visit the official website of the 2012 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Arts Festival: www.2012khl.com.