By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
The 2013 Taichung Mazu International Sightseeing and Cultural Festival series of events will run from now until May 19. Between April 13 and May 19, the “Harbor Arts Center” will host the “Guarding the Land and Protecting the People – Mazu Cultural Relics and Creative Products Exhibition,” featuring cultural relics and creative items from various century-old public temples, such as the ancient wooden incense burner from the Hanxi Lecheng Temple, small drums from the Xinshè Jiuzhuang Mazu, a 200-year-old horn from the Wuzhi Haotian Temple, couplets from the Nantun Wanhe Temple, and wood-carved incense strips from the Wuzhi Chaoyuan Temple. These exhibits allow people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the unique charm of Mazu cultural relics.
The highly popular Mazu Culture Shuttle Buses have planned four major themed routes and 24 trips, set to launch on April 13. (Photo provided by David Chen)
On April 27 and 28, the “Creative Parade Performance” will be held at the Harbor Arts Center. Special guests include the performance team “Nine Heavens Folk Art Troupe” from the box-office-hit film “The Parades” (which surpassed 100 million in revenue), along with outstanding groups such as the “Dongyang Elementary School Battle Drum Team,” “Zhongyi Hall Folk Culture Workshop,” “Quan’er Liangguang Lion Dance Troupe,” “Fatian Hall,” “Zhanghua County Fuzhao Elementary School,” “Kaohsiung City Neimen Elementary School,” “Yongchun Hall,” “Dadushan Tongren Hall Martial Arts Lion Art Museum,” “Weijinglong Lion Dance and Battle Drum Troupe,” “Taichung City Maming Elementary School,” “Hongtu Folk Art Troupe,” “Shangwu Feng Dragon Lion Martial Arts Battle Drum Troupe,” and “Miaoxuan Dance Troupe.” Elite parade troupes from various counties and cities will gather for an exciting competition.
The much-loved “Mazu Culture Shuttle Buses” will begin accepting registrations at 9:00 AM on April 8. From April 13 to May 19, over six weekends and a total of 24 trips, four different themed routes will be offered: Blessing Route, Peace Route, Luck Route, and Wealth Route. In conjunction with the cultural relics exhibition, the buses will depart from the “Harbor Arts Center,” “Dadun Cultural Center,” “Tun District Arts Center,” and “Huludun Arts Center.” They will visit century-old Mazu temples in the city including the Dajia Zhenglán Temple, Nantun Wanhe Temple, Hanxi Lecheng Temple, Wuzhi Haotian Temple, Wuzhi Chaoyuan Temple, Shenkang Shekou Wanxing Temple, Dadu Wanxing Temple, and Fengyuan Ciji Temple. Visitors can explore the Harbor Arts Center and two temples in one day, plus enjoy a DIY activity, providing a rich experience of temple culture and the beauty of Mazu cultural relics.
Additionally, special events this year include the “Colorful Brushstrokes of Mazu – Mazu’s Beauty Watercolor Competition” and “Traveling with Mazu – Activity Photo Submission and Online Voting.” Registration is open now through May 20. The “Colorful Brushstrokes of Mazu” invites the public to depict the essence of Mazu culture stroke by stroke, using artistic creation to capture the beauty of century-old Mazu temple architecture, figures, and folk cultural relics. “Traveling with Mazu” offers 10 different themes for participants to capture the charm of Mazu culture in an instant. Everyone is welcome to join the 2013 Taichung Mazu International Sightseeing and Cultural Festival.
● Read more: Playful New Taichung – A Weekend Family Art & Culture Stroll
http://goo.gl/JBstz