2025 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival “Shining Taichung”

Set against the backdrop of the sprawling 2-hectare dry detention basin in Taichung Central Park, a monumental installation brings mythology to life. The main attraction, a massive lantern of the Goddess Nuwa, stands 12 meters high and stretches 20 meters long, advancing nearly 30 meters into the viewer's space. This spectacular display revives the traditional craft of lantern making, incorporating Chinese zodiac-themed lantern groups that ensure the continuity of these time-honored techniques. The incorporation of precision mechanics and pulley systems allows the depiction of various bionic movements, simulating the descent of Goddess Nuwa from the heavens to the earthly realm.



To accurately replicate complex mechanical dynamics, a 20:1 scale model was created using 3D animation. This model was painstakingly refined through continuous simulations and real-world tests by a collaborative team of structural engineers, lantern artists, and audiovisual technicians. This innovative approach resulted in Taiwan's first-ever mobile exhibition lantern, breaking conventional boundaries and ushering in a new era of lantern artistry.



The main lantern show integrates theatrical environmental concepts with eight anthropomorphic dynamic designs, beyond the visual of Nuwa herself. This year, the show introduces an augmented reality (AR) concept, expanding the performance space across the 2-hectare site to seamlessly blend virtual and real worlds. Performers dressed in traditional local costumes, such as "white-eared sibia" and "clay figurines," complement the lantern, weaving together Taichung's indigenous culture with modern twists. The performance unfolds with powerful vocal arrangements, combined with thematic elements of creation and innovation. Over a hundred lighting variations interlace to create a symbiosis of coexistence and shared prosperity, offering an unrivaled visual feast that is both immersive and spectacular, ensuring a captivating experience for all attendees.