Southeast Asian countries attach great importance to the Water Lantern Festival which is held every year on the day of the full moon in the September or October of the lunar calendar. To celebrate the festival, people will make water lanterns with flowers and put them in the river to pray for blessings.
To enable new immigrants and people in Taiwan to experience this cultural event originated in Southeast Asia, Taipei City Government 2021 Taipei Water Lantern Festival at Xikou (Rainbow) Wharf (錫口碼頭), Songshan District on December 12.
Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) presided over the opening ceremony and experienced cultural immersion activities together with representatives from Thailand Trade and Economic Office & Manila Economic and Cultural Office, etc. He noted that the festival is an important occasion for friends from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Free cultural activities at the event. (Photo / Provided by the Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network)
Thailand Loy Krathong decorations. (Photo / Provided by潘喜玲)
This year, the event also invites new immigrants, migrant workers, overseas Chinese, and foreign students from five countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines to participate in cultural exchange activities.
In addition to Malaysia’s puzzle game Congkak (播棋), there are also Thai rice cakes that are not available in the market. For Indonesian cultures, the traditional fabric of Indonesia – Batik was introduced at the booth. New immigrants from the Philippines also share how to make the Filipino ornamental lantern displayed during the Christmas season – Parol (竹紙帕羅).
Free cultural activities at the event. (Photo / Provided by the Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network)
New immigrants bring their families to experience the water lantern DIY activity. (Photo / Provided by the Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network)
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Ms. Liu (劉女士) from Thailand, who has been married to a Taiwanese for six years, said that she learned about Water Lantern Festival from an event staff who also comes from Thailand.
“I am very happy that my children can participate in Thai festivals,” Ms. Liu said. “I will teach my children the importance of protecting the environment first if our family has the chance to experience the Water Lantern Festival in Thailand.” She also mentioned that
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Ms. Valezka from Indonesia is very happy to share Indonesian culture and food with Taiwanese. (Photo / Provided by the Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network)
Ms. Valezka (葉詩燕) from Indonesia has been residing in Taiwan for 6 years. As a member of the Indonesian Diaspora Network in Taiwan, she is glad to attend the event and share Indonesian culture and delicacies with Taiwanese, including Kue Lapis (娘惹糕) & Risoles (馬鈴薯餡餅). She also expressed that she cherishes the time spent with other Indonesians in Taiwan.
Mayor Ko Wen-je set off a water lantern to pray for everyone. (Photo / Provided by the Department of Civil Affairs, Taipei City Government)
