In Zigong, the foreign exchanges and cooperation of the city made remarkable achievements in 2009.  Focusing on the core work of the government and the big events of the city, the foreign affair successfully built an international communication platform for the city. In this year, Zigong not only display Zigong lantern complexes but also show many lanterns which were sent by 28 organizations from 19 countries. It shows the different cultures and unique charms around the world and reveal the friendly communications of Zigong with the outside world since opening up.

As we know Zigong is the Lantern Festival‘s hometown in the world. Many country’s Lantern Festival were made by the craftsmen from Zigong. 2010′s lanterns in Zigong is more amazing, I believe them will made in other country in a further time.

In this year Zigong made about 10 highlights Lanterns complex,   you can view my post about the 2010 Zigong Lantern Festival’s opening ceremony to know more about the details about the 10 highlights Lanterns complex.

Or you can view my photos which took back from this year’s Zigong Lantern Festival.

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About Taiwan Lantern Festival 2010

The 15th day of the first lunar month each year, known as “Yuan Xiao”, is one of the three major traditional festivals in Taiwan. It is also the first festival celebration after the start of the Lunar New Year. Special events include the Taiwan Lantern Festival, Pingxi Heavenly Lanterns, Taitung Bombing of the God Handan, the Beehive Rockets of Yanshui, the Taipei Lantern Festival, and traditional celebratory temple rituals. The Discovery Channel’s “Fantastic Festivals of the World” program also strongly recommended the Taiwan Lantern Festival as one of the world’s best festival events. Since 1990, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau has organized the Taiwan Lantern Festival, and this year, the festival enters its 21st year. The centerpiece of the event is a giant theme lantern modeled on the Chinese zodiacal animal of the year, accompanied by subsidiary lanterns and special lantern areas such as the Hope & Wishes lantern section, the Fun-Filled lantern section and many others, all of which successfully display the art of lantern-making. During the official opening ceremony, performing groups from Taiwan and overseas enliven the festivities.

Program and Schedule of Taiwan Lantern Festival 2010

• Lantern Rehearsal – 2010.27th.Feb Saturday
• Opening performances – 2010.28th.Feb Sunday
• Lantern Lighting Ceremony – 2010.28th.Feb Sunday
• Lantern Extinguishing & Closing Ceremony – 2010.7th.Mar Sunday

Special offers for international tour groups

1. Tour groups visiting Taiwan during the Taiwan Lantern Festival (February 28 to March 7) will receive the official Taiwan Lantern Festival Hand-Lantern and the 2010 Taiwan Lantern Festival Eco-Friendly Cup.
2. Tours visiting the Taiwan Lantern Festival will also receive assorted Chiayi local specialty products.

Dm of Taiwan Lantern Festival 2010

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Main theme lantern area desin concept of Taiwan Lantern Festival 2010

The main theme lantern named “Good Fortune to Taiwan”,  this theme, chosen by Prof. Tseng Yung-yi, incorporates the Chinese character “fu” or “good fortune” both for its direct auspicious meaning as well as its homonymic proximity to “hu” or tiger – the Chinese zodiac animal for 2010.

Combining both traditional, high-tech and local cultural elements, the main theme lantern depicts a tiger leaping over a rainbow bridge as a symbol of coming good fortune. The abstract design also depicts the mountains of Chiayi (this year’s festival host) and the sunrise and cloud formations of Alishan. The installation is paired with two cute tiger cub lanterns, adding a feeling of family happiness to the propitious theme.

The lighting display uses 3D photography techniques developed by the Electronics and Optoelectronics Research Laboratories at Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute, as well as internal and external lighting displays coordinated with music. Mirrors and partial reflectors further add to the high-tech effect of the display.

Six Stages of the Lantern Lighting in Taiwan Lantern Festival 2010

1. Good Fortune to Taiwan – Heaven’s blessing of good fortune to the people of Taiwan
2. Auspicious Chiayi – The light of fortune shining on the Chiayi area
3. Resplendent Lanterns and the Moon – The brilliance of the decorative lanterns and the moonlight on the night of the Lantern Festival
4. Peace on Earth – Wishes for the peace and safety of the world
5. Celebrating 99 Years – Welcoming spring and economic recovery in the 99th year of the ROC
6. Halcyon Days – Songs of joy for the prosperity of democratic society

Secondary Lantern Areas of Taiwan Lantern Festival 2010

Lucky kylin – The kylin is a mythical animal said to bring good luck. This lantern brings the spirit of the kylin to the 2010 Taiwan Lantern Festival along with the hope of peace and prosperity. It also reflects the local culture of the host city Chiayi with its unique cochin ceramic-like design.

Dragon and Tiger prayers for fortune – in traditional Chinese lore, dragons soar in the heavens and tigers roam the earth. Invincible brothers, they come together in this lantern to depict a scene of power and courage under the rising sun, the vitality of the world, and the wish for the peace and prosperity of Taiwan.

Soaring phoenix – The phoenix is a legendary divine bird. It is also a symbol of good luck and brilliance as well as king of the birds. With the power to tame the  chaos of the world. Here the phoenix sings a song of good omen for Chiayi and the people of Taiwan.

Leaping tortoise – In a legendary tale. A school of carp swims up the Yellow River and attempt to leap over a waterfall called the Dragon Gate. Those who succeeded turned into tortoises and then into dragons. This lantern depicts three tortoises undergoing this metamorphis. Symbolizing the delication to work for a better future.

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There has another Lantern Festival in Zigong, it’s is very amazing too, each of Zigong Lantern Festival and Taiwan Lantern Festival has its advantages.

February 28, 2010, fireworks accidentally shot into a crowd of revellers who were celebrating the 2010 Lantern Festival opening ceremony in Taiwan Chiayi, about 33 people were burnt. Seven people remained in hospital on Monday, wishing them a speedy recovery.

It’s the first time there had been any injuries in the 21-year history of the Taiwan Lantern Festival, taking place this year in Chiayi city in the south of Taiwan.

Taiwan Lantern Festival 2010

The fireworks constractors said that the causes of an accident was by the damp weather, some fireworks launchers exploding cause the angle changed, he will pay enough compensation for the injuries.

The accident video from a Taiwan citizen:

Another video about this Taiwan Lantern Festival an accident:

At last, I must say when you are in in a crowded place like the opening ceremony of Taiwan Lantern Festival, please be careful your surrounding and keep safety.

Auckland Lantern Festival 2010 shows:

1. Chinese Lantern Crafts - Let you know how to make a traditional Chinese Lantern
2. Chinese Folk Music from Mongolian -  Chinese Mongolian Rock musician performs. Something related: Chinese Lantern Festival Music.
   
3. Rolling Lantern dance - Some actors come from east China’s Zhejiang Province perform this folk dance.
4. A great variety of Chinese fancy lanterns – Which were made from the Chinese fancy lantern hometown – Zigong.

Some pictures in Auckland Lantern Festival 2010:

A lantern display show some thing about Chinese elements

This sheep and cow show the feature of New Zealand

These folk dance actors come from east China's Zhejiang Province

Many citizens view lanterns in Auckland Lantern Festival 2010

A woman chooses a handing lantern

A lantern display from Zigong

Zigong arch Lantern

taiwan tiger lantern

Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival, with the efforts of Taiwan Tourism Bureau for many years, great achievements have been made in the travel  programs of Taiwan Lantern Festival.

Many off-island medias visited Taiwan, and wildly reporting on the Lantern Festival 2010. About more than 150,000 visitors who from all over the world will travel to Taipei, Chiayi, Tainan, Taitung to enjoy the Taiwan Lantern Festival activities 2010.They estimate that foreign exchange earnings from tourism hit more than NT 3.6 billion, and the worth of media reports may be more than one billion yuan.

Many Zigong local citizens join the volunteers to taking part in the show by spontaneous. A lot of tourists have a group photo taken to mark the occasion with the volunteers.

zigong lantern festival kids

There are two and a half hours of theatrical performances everyday, and a total of more than 3,000 performers will did their usual party piece of Chinese folk activities.

This is the Lantern Festival which is the most large-scale and full of participation since the beginning of Zigong Lantern Festival history.

The lantern displays of Zigong lantern festival 2010 had considerable bulk, the Chinese lanterns crafts and subject matter were more progressive than previous years.

I think it show the determined of Zigong government who want to develop our Lantern Festival industries. So here were many foreign dignitaries who were invited to Zigong  Lantern Festival 2010 that will be able to help us in the further.

The best tiger in the world - lanterns displays

Today, the Hong Kong government announced that Hongkong will hold three large-scale Chinese Lantern Festivals to celebrate Spring Lantern Festival from February 26 to 28.

The first Chinese Lantern Festival will start at Tseung Kwan O Po Tsui Park from 26 , the entrance of park will place 9 Peacock Lanterns to greet visitors, and the gold ingot, fortune prosperity longevity lanterns can increase festive atmosphere.

The second Chinese Lantern Festival will take place at the Tai Temple Playground of Cheung Chau Pak from February 27th, the theme is the about HK local culture: parade of floatsand, fish lanterns and so on.

The last Chinese Lantern Festival will hold at Ko Shan Theatre and Ko Shan Road Park from February 28, There will prepare a shadow-picture lantern named ‘Hustle and bustle in Spring Festival’ which is 7 meters high.

hongkong

And the Chinese Lantern Festival “Spring and fortune for you” has opened at the HK. Cultural Center Piazza, the lanterns use “auspicious animal,” dragon, phoenix, unicorn and the tortoise as its theme, that will last until March 21.

couples in Shanghai Yu garden lantern festival

They hold up an umbrella, walk in the wet and hand flowers, look so romantic. In the Square, a variety of Hydrangea becomethe young men’s favor. Though it is raining, young people still throw Hydrangea in the square, Shanghai Yu garden is full of laughter.