Lantern Festival: Taichung's Coastal Area Sets Up a Lantern Zone for the First Time; Main Lantern Paul Frank Shines in the Night Sky

The 2016 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival runs from now until February 29, with lively events at three major lantern zones: Taichung Park, the Qingshui Harbor District Art Center, and the Fengyuan Huludun Park; in the 18 years Taichung has held the lantern festival, this is the first time a lantern zone has been set up in the coastal area. On the evening of the 17th, a grand lighting ceremony was held at the Harbor District Art Center, where the main lantern "Boundless Fortune, Qingshui in Full Splendor," featuring the internationally renowned brand Paul Frank, displayed a majestic, mountain-like presence, complemented by colorful surrounding lights, illuminating the coastal night sky.

At 8 p.m. on the 17th, Taichung Deputy Mayor Pan Wen-chung, accompanied by Tourism and Travel Bureau Director Chen Sheng-shan, Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Wang Chih-cheng, and Civil Affairs Bureau Director Tsai Shih-yin, presided over the lighting ceremony at the Qingshui Harbor District Art Center lantern zone, activating the main lantern "Boundless Fortune, Qingshui in Full Splendor," the Paul Frank figure, symbolizing "guarding Qingshui, commanding authority in all directions." City councilors Wang Li-jen, Yang Tien-chung, Yu Pi-ling, and Yen Li-min also attended to join in the celebration.

Deputy Mayor Pan Wen-chung stated that Taichung has held the Lantern Festival every year since 1999. After Mayor Lin Chia-lung took office, he emphasized bringing art to rural areas and cultural equality. Therefore, this year a lantern zone was set up in the coastal area for the first time, specially incorporating Western elements. With authorization from the internationally renowned brand Paul Frank, which is loved by both adults and children, Paul Frank lanterns are exhibited in the Qingshui and Taichung Park lantern zones. Through the ever-changing, rocking, and playful Paul Frank and his friends, they lead the public in celebrating the Lantern Festival.

The Taichung City Tourism and Travel Bureau stated that the Qingshui lantern zone also includes ten themed lanterns, and plans to exhibit more than thirty lanterns in total, including lantern bases for the 2018 Flora Expo. Among them, Paul Frank's good friends in the family transform into Tang Sanzang, Sha Wujing, Zhu Bajie, and lively, adorable little monkey lanterns to welcome visitors together. The featured lantern groups extend from the Harbor District Art Center all the way to the Qingshui Xinyi Military Dependents' Village across the street, showcasing a nostalgic and retro charm. The public is welcome to visit and enjoy the display.