Banana man outshines competition at Nantou County lantern festival

January 28, 2020January 28, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Lantern Festival, Lunar New Year, Nantou County, sambar deer

A 10-meter-tall rotating, singing rat that takes selfies complete with flashes and clicks every thirty minutes is the official central attraction at the Nantou Lantern Festival this year, but a lantern named “Banana Brother” is proving to be one of the most outstanding exhibits. The festival kicked off on January 18, spanning the Lunar New Year holidays, and running until February 9. Divided into 15 themed subject areas, the lanterns are arranged to illuminate various aspects of Nantou County, its

A man is seen suspended on a frame where he endures an attack with fireworks rockets during a festival in Taidong City Taiwan

Culture

February 23, 2016February 23, 2016 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment gang violence, Lantern Festival, Taidong, Taitung

Fights broke out in between gangs attending Lantern Festival processions in at least two Taiwan cities last night, and the violence continued tonight in Taidong (Taitung). The Lantern Festival is traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month of the Chinese New Year. While the traditional Chinese celebration focuses on pretty lanterns, strolling with the family to view the lanterns, and eating sweet snacks like tung-yuan, on the ‘renegade island’ of Taiwan, native Taiwanese celebrate with fireworks,