Every 15th day of the first month of the Lunar Year, Taiwan becomes a true wonderland as towering lanterns and light displays lit up its night scene all thanks to the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival. Led by the Taiwanese Tourism Bureau, the first-ever edition of the festival happened in 1990 in Taipei City. It marks the first appearance of the full moon in the Lunar Calendar and is dedicated to honoring the nation’s age-old traditions and celebrating the latest Chinese zodiac.
Since its inception, the festival has garnered the attention of the world, with many describing it as “Taiwan's Disneyland without roller coasters.” Also dubbed “Little New Year,” the festival is hosted by different cities in Taiwan every year, to showcase their unique heritage. After 16 years, Tainan City, located in the southern part of the country, once again hosts the spectacular Taiwan Lantern Festival.
The 2024 edition of the folk festival marks its 35-year legacy, and as it comes back to the ancient city, its goal is to spotlight Tainan’s story—from its history and culture down to its role in promoting green energy in the country—with the theme “Glorious Tainan.”
“The festival also includes rituals such as ground-breaking and seat-setting ceremonies held at auspicious times, alongside traditional processions featuring whistles, drums, and large gongs before the lighting ceremony,” the Taiwanese Tourism Bureau said. “The lanterns creatively integrate traditional customs and folklore, portraying a vibrant and colorful spectacle through a combination of traditional practices and cutting-edge technology.”
This year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival proves to be one of its grandest versions. During a trip led by the Taiwan Tourism Administration, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle got to witness the splendor of its featured lantern masterpieces and other cultural activities showcased throughout its run.
The Dragon and the goddess
The coming of the Taiwan Lantern Festival to Tainan City comes at a better time, as the host commemorates its 400th anniversary. On that note, the city made sure to highlight many of its cultural elements and innovations through a myriad of lantern displays and immersive light shows. The festival features more than 300 lantern masterpieces, which are divided into two areas—the Anping Display Zone and the High-Speed Rail Display Zone.
The Anping Display Zone plays with Tainan City’s anniversary, showcasing 30 captivating artworks exploring the themes “Tainan 400” and “River of Light History.” One of the must-see lanterns in the zone is the “Goddess Mazu,” which details the legend of Taiwan’s most recognized female sea deity. The High-Speed Rail Display Zone is a much larger exhibition that is composed of seven zones. Its main attraction, the 72-foot “Dragon Comes to Taiwan” lantern, is designed and produced by renowned artist Peng Li-chen. The inspiration behind it comes from the dragon sculptures in the Daitian Temple in Tainan.
The “Dragon Comes to Taiwan” lantern not only embodies the 2024 Chinese zodiac but also mirrors Tainan City’s role as one of the pioneers in green energy in the country. It incorporates solar energy materials such as EVA and sustainable green elements like carbon 60, embodying the lantern festival's commitment to sustainable development.
Apart from the towering lanterns, Taiwan Lantern Festival 2024 wants its guests to bring a piece of its magic when they come home. As a treat, the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications released the 2024 Year of the Dragon lantern. All they need to do is to present their passports or relevant entry proofs at the lantern festival’s on-site redemption center. They will receive the limited-edition souvenir and an event ticket.
Operas and orchids
The Taiwan Lantern Festival 2024 is a well-rounded cultural experience that showcases every element—such as performances, innovations, and agriculture—that makes Tainan a vibrant city.
During the lighting of the “Dragon Comes to Taiwan” lantern, foreign guests and locals were treated to the large-scale open-air Taiwanese opera musical “1624.” The production, planned by the Ministry of Culture and organized by the National Center for Traditional Arts, details Taiwan’s history, from the year Prince Koxing was born to the Dutch’s occupation and the building of Fort Zeelandia. Guests can also witness the “New Paradise of Silent Island,” a dance production led by Taiwanese choreographer Hsiao-Mei Ho, which runs until the end of the festival.
Also taking place in Tainan City is the 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show. In tandem with the 23rd World Orchid Conference, the orchid show plays with the idea “2024 Orchid Together” and features themed landscapes, native orchid exhibits, floral competitions, and its two-story tall mascot “Pink Orchidsaur,” among others.
The 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival runs until March 10 at Anping Recreational Wharf and ICC Tainan and its surrounding areas. To know more about it, visit 2024taiwanlanternfestival.org.
Hello, readers! Do you have a story you want us to feature? Send us a message on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and X and let’s talk about it.