The 2023 Taipei Lantern Festival opened on the 5th. In the evening, President Tsai Ing-wen, Premier Chen Chien-jen, and Taipei Mayor Jiang Wanan were invited to light the lantern together. The three of them interacted in the same frame, but there were not many interactions. Only Tsai Ing-wen waved to Jiang Wanan when he left the stage, and Jiang watched him leave. Former Taipei City Councilor Ke Wenzhe stood next to Taipei City Council Chairman Dai Xiqin, at the farthest side of the stage, but Tsai Ing-wen gave a special greeting to Ke during her speech.
In the evening, the Taiwan Lantern Festival held a lighting ceremony at the National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. Tsai Ing-wen, Chen Jianren, Jiang Wanan, Minister of Transportation Wang Guocai, and Director of Tourism Zhang Xicong lit the lights together. People pray. Tsai Ing-wen’s inscriptions read “Happy Luck”, Chen Chien-jen “Blessed Taiwan”, Jiang Wan’an “Rabbit Leaps Up”, Wang Guocai “Fu Rabbit Welcomes Good Fortune”, and Zhang Xicong “Lucky Prosperity”.
Jiang Wanan pointed out that the Taipei Tourism Festival Lantern Festival was first held in 1990. It was renamed the Taipei Lantern Festival in 1991. Since 2001, it has been held in turns in counties and cities across the country. This year is of special significance to Taipei. The Taiwan Lantern Festival has returned to its origin after 23 years. It is also the first large-scale event after the epidemic. The Beishi government is preparing a variety of static exhibitions and dynamic performances. Citizens, people from all over the world and international tourists are welcome to participate in the grand event.
Jiang Wan’an emphasized that this year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival is the first lantern festival in history that blends cities. It extends from MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Station to City Hall Station to Taipei 101 Station. The lamp district makes the whole city like a corridor of light, conveying the joy of the arrival of the new year. In addition, through the art of entering the store, the public can go to the store in the alleys of Taipei to shop, eat food, drink coffee, and enjoy a leisurely moment in Taipei while admiring the lanterns.
Jiang Wanan said that everyone can visit the entire Lantern Festival through public transportation. Everyone is welcome to come to Taipei following the trajectory of light, so that the world can see Taipei and Taiwan.
