By MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
The four experimental stations under Kinmen County Government—agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and animal husbandry—have been hosting an annual agricultural and fishery achievements exhibition during the Lunar New Year for over a decade. This year, the Kinmen County Fisheries Experimental Station will collaborate with the Kinmen Tianhou Temple to host the “2013 Lunar New Year Ocean Culture Exhibition and Wudao Mazu Peace Salt Ceremony Series of Events” from February 10 to February 12 (the first to third days of the Lunar New Year), between 08:00 and 16:00, at three venues: the Fisheries Experimental Station, Kinmen Tianhou Temple, and the Stone Sculpture Park. During the event, peace salt good luck bags will be distributed, and folk performances such as auspicious lion dances, lotus drum teams, and the Electric Three Princes from Zhongyi Temple will be staged. Other activities include a Pearl Treasure Culture Exhibition, an Exotic Marine Life Exhibition, an oyster-shucking experience competition, and a DIY shellfish installation art workshop.
The battle-scarred island of Kinmen will host the “2013 Lunar New Year Ocean Culture Exhibition and Wudao Mazu Peace Salt Ceremony Series of Events” on February 10. (Photo provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
Weng Zibao, director of the Fisheries Experimental Station, noted that in 2013, the station will focus on the theme of “Peace Salt Ceremony, Smooth Sailing,” with the “Pearl Treasure Culture Exhibition” serving as the thematic highlight of the ocean culture series. The opening event, the “Wudao Mazu Peace Salt Ceremony,” will commence at 09:00 on the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10) with a prayer session led by the scripture-chanting and blessing group from Kinmen Tianhou Temple, praying for national prosperity and peace. The “peace salt” will be blessed and infused with good fortune, and a limited quantity of peace salt good luck bags will be distributed after the ceremony.
Following the Peace Salt Ceremony, a variety of folk performances will take place, including auspicious lion dances, Mazu dances, the Twelve Goddesses Parade, the “Husband Carrying Wife” act, the “Wandering the World” performance by the Nanmen Volunteer Team, the “Dancing Clam Spirit on Dry Land” by the Ximen team, and sign language performances of welcoming spring flowers and lotus drum teams. Additionally, local groups and talented students from schools in the district will perform in both the morning and afternoon, featuring diabolo performances by Jinding Elementary School, drum team acts by Shushuo Elementary School, Zhengyi Elementary School, and Gucheng Elementary School, the Electric Three Princes from Zhongyi Temple, the Wind Lion King Electric Troupe’s Wind Lion King Three Princes and Nine Dragons King Battle Drums, and street dance performances by the Knights Troupe. Cute mascot characters will also roam the event area distributing balloons featuring marine life designs.
In addition, this year’s event combines the themes of the “Wudao Mazu Peace Salt Ceremony” and the “Ocean Culture Exhibition Series,” and also includes a Pearl Treasure Culture Exhibition, an Exotic Marine Life Exhibition, an oyster-shucking experience competition, a Happy Family BBQ Seafood event, a DIY shellfish installation art workshop, a “Year of the Fish” free fishing experience, a “Stitching (Prosperity) Luck” net-mending experience, marine life film screenings, a 25-booth fair, and castle inflatable games. As part of the “Treasure Hunt for Blessings” activity, visitors can participate in experiences across various zones. Collecting five blessing stamps allows them to exchange for one NT$30 fair voucher to be used at the fair booths. This year, the Fisheries Experimental Station has prepared 15,000 fair vouchers to enhance the festive atmosphere.
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