2009 Taipei Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival, also known as "Yuan Xiao Festival" or "Shang Yuan Festival", is a long-standing traditional festival originating in ancient times. From its earliest conception, the Lantern Festival has meant a time for families to gather and invoke the blessings of the Gods for peace and harmony in the coming year. Falling on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival is the climactic conclusion to the Lunar New Year period. Due to the widespread popularity of this festival, it is sometimes dubbed the mini-New Year celebration. In order to meet the public’s high expectations of the Lantern Festival, Taipei City Government meticulously plans and executes uniquely themed festivities every spring, which not only offer a chance to celebrate this occasion, but also to uphold the long-standing tradition of Chinese culture, while simultaneously promoting Chinese folk festivals on the international stage. The Taipei Lantern Festival, which has been held annually since 1997, has won acclaim both domestically and internationally. The city's residents, young and old, have been very impressed by the gorgeous fireworks and wondrous lantern installations. Both local and international visitors will not want to miss the annual Lantern Festival. The 2009 Taipei Lantern Festival will combine the theme of this year’s zodiac animal, the Ox, with the 2009 Deaflympic Games in Taipei. Viewers will be treated to a feast of creative visual arts utilizing lights and sounds. The modern technological design and innovation will be integrated into the traditional Chinese festivities. "Lantern holding, drama appreciation, festival celebration" — in the 2009 Taipei Lantern Festival, all the exhibits and performances are delicately linked together. Drawing upon the four main forms of artistic expression (song, dance, music and drama), this year’s festival promises a revival of ancient traditions.

Source : Taipei City Gov.