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First Look at the 2019 Taipei Lantern Festival: Piggy Transforms into a Lion Dancer, Becoming the Spotlight of Ximending

Published: 2026-09-25 👁 100 views
Last updated 2026-09-25 — With just two days to go before the official lighting of the 2019 Taipei Lantern Festival, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je tried out the festival’s two main lanterns—“Blooming Hearts Shining Bright” and...

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots / Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Liao Weiren

With just two days to go before the official lighting of the 2019 Taipei Lantern Festival, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je tried out the festival’s two main lanterns—the “Blooming Hearts Shining Bright” lantern base using his mobile phone on the evening of the 14th, while also launching the festival’s main character, the “Shapeshifting Piggy Shining Bright.” Through a high-definition LED screen, the piggy not only changes expressions at will but also transforms into a cool mechanical beast and a festive lion dancer in sync with the music. The dazzling light and sound effects made the scene incredibly lively.

The shapeshifting “Piggy” symbolizes freedom and unrestrained joy. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Liao Weiren, same below)

The “Shapeshifting Piggy Shining Bright” themed show will be performed every evening from February 16 to 24 during the lantern festival, starting at 7 PM, once every half hour for three minutes each time. AKIBO Li Mingdao, the curator and artist behind the design of the main lantern and visual theme of the Taipei Lantern Festival, said that the shapeshifting “Piggy” represents freedom and carefree joy, wishing all citizens “success in all endeavors” and “good fortune in everything.”

In addition to the main lantern area “Shapeshifting Piggy Shining Bright,” the Taipei Lantern Festival also features several other lantern zones, including the “I Love Creating Shining Bright” student creations area, “Dream Life Shining Bright,” and “Friendly Cities Shining Bright.”

The Beimen (North Gate), which has become a popular attraction of the lantern festival, remains one of the highlights this year. This historic gate showcases a light projection work titled “Swinging Beimen,” which combines music with Swing Dance to present the concept of “Swinging Beimen.” Through the lines and form of the gate, the former glory of the old city is brought to life via light projections and performances by actors, creating an illusion of being in ancient times yet with a modern touch.

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