Fortune arrives with the Year of the Tiger – The 2010 Taipei Lantern Festival makes its dazzling debut

Just as the 9-day Spring Festival holiday comes to an end, the lively and bustling Lantern Festival is just around the corner. Every year during the Lantern Festival, a variety of traditional festivities—from sky lantern releases, beacon fireworks, and the "exploding Cold Food God" rituals—kick off in full swing. The festival, featuring lantern displays that change according to the Chinese zodiac, reaches an even more exhilarating climax when the main lantern is lit. This year marks the 21st edition of the Taipei Lantern Festival, with the theme “Fortune Arrives with the Year of the Tiger,” expressing the hope that everyone can ride the momentum of the tiger to welcome good fortune and blessings.

Each year, the lantern festival gives out adorable zodiac-themed mini lanterns that are hard to part with. This year’s Taipei Lantern Festival is headlined by the mascot, the lucky tiger “HoKi,” who makes a grand entrance. In conjunction with the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition, the lantern displays also incorporate various floral elements. The Taipei Lantern Festival will be held from February 26 to March 7 at the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, surrounding municipal government areas, and along Xin Ren’ai Road to the Ren’ai Road Roundabout. Centered around the zodiac animal of the year—the tiger—it showcases the most beautiful and friendly side of Taipei.

Combining the zodiac tiger with the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition hosted by the Taipei City Government, the design features the majestic lucky tiger “HoKi,” wearing a colorful scarf identical to that of the flower expo’s mascot, the Flower Elf. A seed doll named “Sprout” stands on the lantern’s handle, while seven colorful flowers representing the five Flower Elves—“Sunflower,” “Lily,” “Tulip,” “Hydrangea,” and “Phalaenopsis”—are scattered across the little tiger’s body. The mini lucky tiger lanterns will be handed out for free, one per person, from 2:00 PM on February 25 to 2:00 PM on February 28 at both sides of the intersection of Ren’ai Road and the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. On February 27 and 28, additional distribution points will be set up at both sides of the main entrance of the Taipei City Hall; one lantern per person, free of charge.

This year’s event features numerous exhibition zones, including the Public Art Lantern Zone, Blessing Lantern Zone, Dreamy Five Continents Lantern Zone, Lantern Sea Tunnel, Themed Lantern Zone, Traditional Lantern Zone, Student Lantern Zone, International Lantern Zone, and Entrance Lantern Zone, along with various stage performances. During the lantern festival, besides admiring the spectacular sight of thousands of lanterns lit up together, visitors can also participate in the “2010 Taipei Lantern Festival Photography Competition” to capture the brilliance of the festival through their lenses. For more information on Taipei Lantern Festival activities, please visit the official event website.

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Further Reading: Hibiya Garden illuminated with festive lights (Photo provided by Tripass Attractions)