Year of the Snake: Taiwan festivals not to miss in 2013
Taiwan is a country that has a rich and varied heritage and its fusion of Chinese, Fujianese, Hakka, Cantonese and Aboriginal cultures make for an exciting year of festivals not to be missed in 2013. Next year also heralds in the Year of the Snake which according to Chinese mythology is associated with beauty and wisdom, esoteric knowledge and spiritual discovery.
Chinese New Year, 9 - 13 February 2013
The Chinese New Year is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture and in Taiwan celebrations last for up to four days. Spending time with family is an integral part of this public holiday and gifts are exchanged between children and young adults; the most traditional gift being red envelopes of money. It is believed that evil spirits are driven away by loud noise, so the Chinese New Year is a very loud celebration. Long strings of firecrackers are set off throughout the holiday, and there are many displays of fireworks lighting up the evening skies.
Lantern Festival (Shang Yuan Festival), 24 February - 10 March 2013
A colourful and vibrant festival, the Lantern Festival is held annually on the first full moon of the lunar calendar. This event forms the final celebrations of the traditional Chinese New Year and the two-week long festival is celebrated throughout the country with towns and villages putting on beautiful displays of decorative lanterns depicting birds, beasts and historical figures.
Alishan Cherry Blossom Festival, spring 2013
The Alishan Cherry Blossom Festival is one of Taiwan's most popular flower festivals and is held annually in Chiayi County. With an altitude above 2,000 meters, Alishan is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and in spring the area is covered by more than 19,000 cherry trees. Visitors will be able to see Yoshino cherry tree blossoms as the area has the largest number of this variety than anywhere else on the island.
Dragon Boat Festival, 12 June 2013
The Dragon Boat Festival began as an occasion to drive off evil spirits and to find peace in life. It originates from an event which purportedly took place in ancient years when national poet, Qu Yan, decided to drown himself in the Miluo River to protest against the cruel government. People in the surrounding villages tried to rescue him by rowing down the river by boat and this search became the basis for the Dragon Boat Race.
Today, the Dragon Boat Races are a key event with huge crowds gathering to watch the excitement. Teams compete to the sound of beating drums and rowers win by grabbing the flag at the end of the course. Many traditional customs accompany the festivities such as the drinking of Hsiung Huang wine and children are given fragrant sachets, both of which are thought to ward off evil spirits. A culinary highlight of the festival is eating the traditional dish Zongzi which is glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. It is said that the origins of this dish trace back to the story of Qu Yan when the local people who admired him dropped sticky rice triangles into the river for the fish to eat.
Ghost Festival, 1-29 August 2013
Traditionally, it is believed that ghosts haunt the island of Taiwan for the entire seventh lunar month from dawn on the first day of the month, when the gates of the netherworld open, ending on the 29th day of the month, when the gates close. The Ghost Festival combines the Buddhist Ullambana Festival and the Taoist Ghost Festival, both of which honour dead spirits.
Highlights of the event include folk-art performances, the opening of the gates of hell and the release of burning water lanterns. During the festival, families make offerings to their ancestors and ghosts of the underworld.
Mooncake Festival, 19-21 September 2013
The Taiwanese Mooncake Festival is also called the Mid-Autumn Festival and has become an important time for families to spend together. Many people meet in the parks to enjoy the moon, considered to be at its brightest and fullest at this time of year and the making and eating of moon cakes is one of the hallmark traditions of the festival. Moon cakes are large round pastries stuffed with sweet bean paste which symbolise unity and togetherness. Outdoor barbecues are also a key component of this festival and have become a popular affair for friends and family to gather and enjoy each other's company.
Taiwan International Cycling Festival, autumn 2013
Since it debuted in 2010, the Taiwan Cycling Festival has continued to bring together world-renowned cycling teams for a weekend of top-class international racing as they compete for the Taiwan Cup.
Taking place in the Hualien and Taitung counties in scenic eastern Taiwan, the festival is built around two main events, the Formosa 900 and the Taiwan KOM Challenge with a number of smaller cycling events taking place over the course of the week. Amateur enthusiasts attending the festival are encouraged to experience Taiwan's touring itineraries and discover the variety of cycling trails and routes whilst enjoying the island's culture, cuisine and natural wonders.
For further information, visit eng.taiwan.net.tw.
