Library Owl

(In celebration of the Tiger Year, the main theme of the lantern features a tiger standing on piles of coins.)

For the past couple of years, after lunar new year vacation, people in Kaohsiung City are looking forwards to the grand celebration of lantern festival on the banks of Love River. This year, a 7-minutes firework with water dance show is held at 9 every night on the sea near Glory Pier.

Traditionally, the Lantern Festival takes place on Jan 15 in lunar calendar, and is normally regarded as the end of lunar new year celebration. Traditional celebration of the Lantern Festival varies in cultures. In Taiwan, people would eat rice balls/rice dumplings on this day; children would take lanterns with them when going out onto the streets at night; solving quizs or puzzles is also a traditional way to celebrate.

(Some small lanterns hanging on tree branches.)

(A lantern features the old Taiwanese falktale of "Aunt Tigress". The story has many versions. Most of them said that Aunt Tigress would hunt for misbehaviour kids at nights, and bite off their ears, tongues or toes.)

(If there is anyone interested in listening to a chidren's song about Aunt Tigress in Mandarin Chinese, the YouTube video is worth a try.)

(A tiger lantern made of dried luffa, and some other traditional Taiwanese artifacts.)

(Lights on the bridge and a cruise ship on Love River.)

(This is no Circus du Solei.)

(Some dance performers doing Hula dance.)