2009 Taipei Lantern Festival

Activities/Actions:

• Biked to/from Taipei City Hall
• Visiting Taipei Lantern Festival

Stat & Course condition:
Good weather (did not rain)

Note and reflections:
Visiting the festival at its last day was nice because of a good size crowd. This year Taipei lantern exhibition was much smaller than that of the last year (probably due to Taiwan Lantern Festival in Ilan). Cows and Taiwanese water buffaloes are the main guys along with some pandas and Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009 mascot, Taipei green tree frogs (I do not know their name). One of popular things is the illuminating party light sticks in various shapes and styles sold by street vendors. Two love stories (Chinese and Western; a main character in Chinese version is a cowherd) are told by rows of lanterns on both sides of the City Hall Plaza. It is the right timing because the festival falls during the St. Valentine's Day this year.


About Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009 Mascot
From http://english.2009deaflympics.org/files/13-1027-865.php

The 21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009 has adopted as its mascot the lively Taipei green tree frog (Rhacophorus taipeianus). While it is the tiniest of Taiwan's eight indigenous species of frogs, it is remarkable for its ability to jump long distances. Similarly, although Taiwan is a small island nation, it has impressed the world with its economic power, springing to new heights.

The banyan leaf worn by the male mascot and the azalea flower on the female are respectively the Taipei city tree and flower. They symbolize the city's vision of a fresh and environment-friendly future. The mascots have their arms wide open, in a pose that looks like the Chinese character for north “bei”, which represents the host city, Taipei. With open arms and cheerful smiles, Taipei enthusiastically welcomes participants coming from every part of the world!

Photos:

A orphaned cowherd and an Emperor's daughter: Chinese Love Story

Orphaned Cinderella and the Prince: a western love story.

Thailand to participate in the 21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009 in September

Besides cattle, Pandas featured in this year lantern.

"Do you want one?"
Illuminating party light sticks at several street vendors

Cows from a milk carton

The first prize lantern (of a category) depicting three cows

The main lantern in front of SYS Memorial Hall in a full display.

Along Ren-Ai Rd, Mascot of Deaflympics Taipei 2009.

Ren-Ai Rd. wall of Taipei City Hall turned into the main Lantern illuminated by fusion of modern technology and traditional/contemporary arts.

For me, "All Pass" this year!

Just a day after St. Valentine's Day