By MOOK Travel Life Network, Reported by Li Xinyi
The annual Taipei Lantern Festival, which attracts millions of visitors, will light up a 4-kilometer stretch of happiness along Zhongshan North Road Sections 1 to 3 and from Yuanshan MRT Station to Minquan MRT Station on February 6. The various themed lantern zones, making their first appearance at the Flower Expo’s Yuanshan and Fine Arts Park, will be on display from February 21 to March 3. This year’s mini lantern is named “Haha,” decorated with patterns inspired by Taiwan’s 14 indigenous tribes, drawing on the blessing meanings of traditional tribal designs.
Taipei Lantern Festival mini lanterns are unveiled this year in the shape of a snake, incorporating indigenous totems. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Civil Affairs)
Lin Jiawei, a teacher with years of experience in designing mini lanterns, said: “Snakes generally have a rather negative image, but in some indigenous communities, they play an important role, such as guardians or ancestors of the tribe. Therefore, this year’s mini lanterns specially integrate indigenous totems, symbolizing strong vitality and a positive, enterprising spirit.” The indigenous totems used on the mini lanterns were designed by indigenous artist Kao Yaonan, who thoughtfully marked the 14 tribal totems within each segment of the “Haha” lantern.
This year’s Taipei Lantern Festival mini lanterns will be distributed on-site across 12 administrative districts and at the Flower Expo Park on February 23. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Civil Affairs)
The Taipei City Government stated that a total of 100,000 mini lanterns will be given out this year at 14 distribution points. In addition to distributing them simultaneously across Taipei’s 12 administrative districts as in previous years, they will also be handed out at the “Yuanshan Park Competition Hall” and the “Flower Tunnel Entrance at Fine Arts Park Welcome Hall.” Distribution times are from 1:30 p.m. on February 23 and 24, 2013 (102 in the Republic of China calendar), and each person is limited to one lantern. Quantities are limited and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, please visit the official website: www.taipeilanternfestival.com.
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