The annual Lantern Festival, marking the end of the Lunar New Year period, is a time when Taiwan and China come alive with vibrant celebrations. On the 15th day of the lunar calendar's first month, thousands gathered to partake in various cultural festivities, including the release of wish-laden lanterns and indulging in the beloved glutinous rice dumplings.
In New Taipei, Taiwan, the renowned Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival drew locals and tourists alike, despite the persistent rain. Attendees patiently awaited their turn to illuminate the night sky with their hopeful lanterns. This year’s festival was a destination for Mae Alegonero and Shine Ceralvo, friends from the Philippines inspired by viral social media posts depicting the mesmerizing spectacle.
You experience this once in a lifetime, commented Alegonero as she grasped an umbrella alongside Ceralvo, preparing to release their wishes into the starry sky. The tradition of releasing lanterns, which traces back more than a century in Taiwan, originally served as a signal of safety following community raids. Today, it symbolizes peace and prosperity for the New Year.
The enchanting display attracted international visitors, including Charlotte Cadinot from France. Her fascination with the ethereal beauty of paper lanterns began with a scene from Disney’s Tangled. She and her boyfriend, Remi Delmas, personalized their lantern with shared aspirations, bringing a piece of cinematic magic to life.
The event featured a series of nine lantern releases, punctuated with lively music and dance. A spectacular highlight was the unveiling of two towering, snake-shaped lanterns in pink and gold, celebrating the Year of the Snake and adding to the evening's spectacle.
Across the strait, China also celebrated the Lantern Festival, albeit with distinctive local traditions. While the large-scale lantern releases seen in Taiwan are uncommon, the emphasis shifts toward culinary delights. Glutinous rice dumplings, a sweet festival treat, are immensely popular among participants, who also marvel at elaborate light displays.
Beijing’s Garden Expo Park hosted the country’s largest light exhibition. With over 10,000 installations, visitors were awestruck by creative displays featuring themes ranging from cultural heritage to imaginative modern concepts. Highlights included towering depictions of traditional symbols such as the God of Fortune, dragons, and phoenixes, alongside avant-garde interpretations like a cyberpunk opera headdress.
The Lantern Festival continues to be a testament to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage in Taiwan and China, offering a vibrant blend of tradition, unity, and hope each year.
