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Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival 2015 Ended Perfectly Chen Chu: See you next year

Post date:2015-10-18
Update:2015-10-26
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Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival 2015 Ended Perfectly Chen Chu: See you next year
2015Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival 2015 Ended Perfectly
Chen Chu: See you next year

(Kaohsiung) Lasting for 8 days, the Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival 2015 sponsored the closing ceremony tonight (18) by the banks of Lotus Pond. The highlight of the ceremony was the Great Wannian Fire Lion. Led by Mayor Chen Chu, who hit the gongs in front of the array, the parade proceeded passionately. Riding on a jeep, Mayor Chen and the Wannian Fire Lion troupe started from Tianfu Temple and paced through the streets via Lotus Pond, eventually arriving at the main stage. Along the streets, the troupe played the gongs and drums enthusiastically, attracting excited people. At the end, the fire lion returned to the main stage, and it burned in front of the audience to announce the perfect ending of Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival 2015.

Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival started in mid-October by the banks of Lotus Pond. Originating from temple rituals conducted by nearby temples, and later promoted by the Kaohsiung City Government, it has been transformed into a cultural tourism event, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. The most unique activity in this festival is probably the “Welcome the Fire Lion” ritual. The fire lion is built from a bamboo framework, with various colored firecrackers tied around, and a paper pasted head. According to legend, if we pray to the fire lion sincerely and burn the wishes that are written on papers at the finale of the festival together with the fire lion, it will take our wishes back to the heaven with it. It not only can bring us good luck but also make our dreams come true. It functions as blessing and wish fulfillment, bearing rich ethnic implications.  

In her speech, Chen Chu expressed that this year is the 15th anniversary of the Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival. Its scale has become larger and larger each year, attracting more and more audiences. Enjoying high renown in Taiwan, and with the contributions of the Kaohsiung City Government Team, it ended perfectly this year. More importantly, local temples’ donations and endeavors offered great help to the sponsoring of this activity. This year, the Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival was very different. People no longer released fireworks. Nor did they tie firecrackers around the fire lion. As a result, this rite has become more environmental friendly and safer. The shows were saturated with Taiwanese touch, allowing visitors to feel and enjoy the passion and lifestyles of Kaohsiung. It is expected that the burning of the fire lion can help fulfill our dreams. Of course, we expect our country to enjoy peace and prosperity, with mild weather and moderate rainfall and that peace and blessing will come to Kaohsiung. With no disasters, Kaohsiung people can live happily and healthily. See you next year.
2015Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival 2015 Ended PerfectlyChen Chu: See you next year
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