In the vibrant city of New Taipei, Taiwan, a magical spectacle unfolded as thousands of people from Taiwan and China came together to celebrate the enchanting Lantern Festival. The air was filled with a sense of excitement and wonder as paper lanterns soared into the night sky, casting a warm glow over the festivities. From admiring intricate light installations to indulging in delicious glutinous rice dumplings, the revelers immersed themselves in the spirit of the holiday.
The Lantern Festival is a significant event that marks the culmination of the Lunar New Year period and is joyously observed on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar each year. At the renowned Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in northern Taiwan, crowds braved the rain to partake in the time-honored tradition of lighting and releasing wish lanterns. Among the sea of eager participants were Mae Alegonero and Shine Ceralvo, close friends hailing from the Philippines and working in central Taiwan. Drawn to the event by the captivating images of floating lanterns circulating on social media platforms like TikTok, they eagerly awaited their turn to send their hopes and dreams into the starry night sky.
The allure of the Lantern Festival extended far beyond the borders of Asia, attracting visitors from distant corners of the globe, including Europe and Latin America. For these travelers, witnessing the spectacle of paper lanterns illuminating the darkness was a moment of pure magic and cultural immersion. Originating over a century ago in Taiwanese villages as a signal for the safe return of residents after bandit attacks, the tradition of paper lanterns has evolved to symbolize aspirations for peace and prosperity in the upcoming year.
For Charlotte Cadinot, a French exchange student, the fascination with wish lanterns was kindled by the enchanting Disney movie “Tangled,” featuring Princess Rapunzel and her charming beau releasing lanterns into the night sky. Inspired by this romantic scene, Charlotte and her boyfriend, Remi Delmas, wrote their shared wish on a lantern, sending it aloft amidst the cheers and applause of the crowd. The festival unfolded with nine mesmerizing waves of lantern releases accompanied by enchanting musical performances and captivating dance routines.
As the night sky came alive with a kaleidoscope of colors, the spotlight shone on a pair of majestic 12-foot pink and golden snake-shaped lanterns, paying homage to the Year of the Snake. While festivities in China took on a different flavor, with Beijing residents savoring the delectable glutinous rice dumplings and marveling at spectacular light displays across the city, the essence of joy and celebration remained the same. At the Beijing Garden Expo Park, a breathtaking showcase featuring over 10,000 light installations of varying sizes and designs unfolded, showcasing cultural landmarks and traditional symbols alongside modern interpretations.
From dragons and phoenixes to the God of Fortune and cyberpunk-inspired Beijing opera headdresses, the light shows captivated the
