The 2019 Taiwan Lantern Festival kicked off Feb. 19 in the southern county of Pingtung with an extravaganza of circus, drama and music performances, a drone light show and fireworks.
Renowned local artists, including indigenous musician Parangalan—commonly known as Kimbo—from the Pinuyumayan tribe, as well as Taiwanese opera singer Tang Mei-yun starred in the opening entertainment staged at Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area.
Attending the launch, President Tsai Ing-wen said this year’s event, which is being held at three exhibition sites, is one of the biggest in its 30-year history and is the result of government agencies at all levels working closely together. Tsai also urged local and foreign tourists to come and enjoy the beautiful festival and her hometown Pingtung.
One of the opening’s highlights was an aerial show featuring 300 drones illuminating the night sky with the image of a giant bluefin tuna—the same design as the celebration’s centerpiece lantern—and the words Pingtung spelled out in Chinese characters and Taiwan in English letters. The display, by U.S.-based Intel Corp., will also be staged Feb. 23, 24, 28 and March 1-3.
According to the Tourism Bureau, the annual event is lighting up the county with exhibits featuring designs spanning diverse themes from the cultures of Taiwan's different ethnic groups to green technology. This edition is also the first time that visitors can take boat trips to enjoy lanterns over the water.
The festival, which runs through March 3, will feature performances from headline acts such as renowned drumming group U-Theatre Taiwan, Spanish circus troupe Voala Company, singer Rui Si from the Paiwan tribe as well as local rock band Fire Ex.
In addition to Dapeng, the main exhibition site, celebrations are being staged at the county’s Donggang Township and Pingtung City. (CPY-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw