2012 New Taipei City Sky Lantern Festival kicks off with hope and love
2012 is going to be a New Year after 2011, the centennial celebration of the ROC, and New Taipei City is ready to start the New Year with the annual Sky Lantern Festival in Pinshi of New Taipei City from January 26th, where the topic of the event will focus on some characters from several well-known comic books. In addition, at least one thousand sky lanterns will be set off on February 6th with a huge 20 feet lantern ready to take off, making 2012 a year of hope and excitement.
The theme of this year’s festival is about love and hope; “hope plus one” also symbolizes the fact that 2012 is a year after 2011, meaning it is Taiwan’s 100th birthday. It is hoped that everyone’s wish can be heard through each and every lantern after it is set off.
Pinshi District is the first and only area that can set off sky lanterns legally, which is why this year’s event is going to be bigger in scale including four praying nights on January 26th at Jintong Elementary School (Thursday), 28th at Pinshi Junior High School (Saturday), February 4th (Saturday), and 6th (Monday, ) at Shifen Sky Lantern Plaza. 5,800 sky lanterns will be given out for free during this time, and limited 2,500 memorial wooden sky lanterns will also be given on first come first serve basis.
Several live concerts will also be held at the same time: the first on the 26th will feature one of the most popular bands COSPLAY on the island with several comic books lovers. A 12 feet lantern will be exhibited showcasing several scenic spots in Pinshi. The second night on February 4th will feature a jumbo 20 feet sky lantern that can be set off by everyone for the first time; anyone who is interested can log on to the event’s website and register with your pictures and messages for the lucky draw. Finally, the last night on February 6th will feature a sight where several thousands of sky lanterns can be seen at the same time, which is surely a scene to behold.
Other prizes will be available such as a HTC SENSATION XE phone and other limited lantern souvenirs; anyone who is interested should visit the official website at http://tour.ntpc.gov.tw/2012skylantern/ and leave one New Year’s resolution for the lucky draw. Pinshi is renowned internationally for its sky lanterns, and it was chosen as the second biggest festival around the world, putting Taiwan on the map at the same time. Other things that are also popular in Pinshi are local food and other historic buildings. Everyone is once again welcome to join this festival at the beginning of 2012 where hope and love are expected from everyone.