(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners joined the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival for the eighth year on February 6. With large-scale lanterns at an area dedicated to the Falun Gong group at the Caotun Township Botanic Garden, this year's lighting ceremony attracted thousands of people. People lined up to take a closer look by boarding the float.
Twenty five meters in length, eight meters in width and eighteen meters in height, the float is as tall as a six-story building. Mr. Liao Pingfeng, the Falun Gong section event coordinator, shared that seeing guests' awed expressions during the lighting ceremony was unforgettably rewarding for him.
The Taiwan Lantern Festival is an annual event hosted by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in Taiwan to celebrate the Lantern Festival, January 15 on the lunar calendar. All entries will be on display until February 23.
Ms. Liao Ziyou, legislator from Nantou County, praised the float as “a divine boat full of happiness.” Ms. Tang Yuxia, director of the Yuchi Township branch, Nantou Tourism Association, thinks that the event would not have been so successful without the Falun Gong practitioners' participation. “The float is spectacular! I am intrigued to learn more about Falun Gong.” She added.
The lighting ceremony of the 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival took place in Nantou County on the night of February 6.
The lighting ceremony incorporated the traditional rituals of the Caotun Township. Many influential members of the community, including legislators, senior leaders, artists, and school principals and students, attended the event. Several thousand people were present in all. Local newspapers and TV stations also reported on the event.
Several VIP guests lit up the lantern. From left to right: Mr. Zhuang Yizhong, chief designer of the “Fa Boat” lantern, Mr. Liao Pingfeng, the Falun Gong entry organizer, Mr. Chang Ching-Hsi, President of Falun Dafa Association in Taiwan, Mr. Hong Guohao, Caotun Township Director,, Mr. Lin Qingsheng, president of the Caotun Township representatives, Mr. Xu Gengxiu, Taiwan Craft Research and Development Center Director.
Ms. Liao said that this year's Falun Gong participation received a lot of support from federal and local leaders, especially Legislators Wei Ming-ku and Tsai Chi-chang in the Legislative Yuan. Twenty Nantou legislators offered joint support, and Caotun Township director Mr. Hong Guohao provided a facility for practitioners to set up the giant float.
Mr. Hong stated at the event press conference on January 28 that the entire Falun Gong section is grand, with 19 lanterns. The current version is bigger than the one that participated in last year's Xinzhu exhibit. He also thinks that the “Heavenly Vehicle with Divine Horse” lantern is a masterpiece.
Painters in the Caotun Township created 24 pillars for the lighting ceremony of the Falun Gong section.
The Project Work Reflects Truth-Compassion-Forbearance
Ms. Liao Ziyou boarded the float after the lighting ceremony and commented, “This float is really spectacular. Having this float join our event is a divine arrangement. It's a blessing for the Caotun Township.”
“The spirit of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance shined throughout the duration of the project. I sensed the perseverance of Falun Gong practitioners in their group cooperation.” She described the float as “a divine boat full of happiness.”
Ms. Tang Yuxia, director of the Yuchi Township branch, Nantou Tourism Association, concurred: “Falun Gong practitioners coordinated the project so well and maintained such a clean site. They have great self-discipline.” Because of this project, Ms. Tang has become interested in finding out more about Falun Gong.
The divine horse on the “Heavenly Vehicle with Divine Horse” lantern moves its rainbow-colored wings slowly, drawing the attention of kids and adults alike.
The Falun Dafa section is next to the Caotun Precinct Nantou County Police Bureau. Many officers took photos of the float.
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