Matsu
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join the 280km procession that will pass through four counties -- Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin and Chiayi -- and visit around 80 temples. Matsu is the goddess of the sea and one of Taiwan's most venerated deities.
At a press conference yesterday in Taipei's Red Playhouse, Taichung County Commissioner Huang Chung-sheng (
PHOTO: CHEN TSE-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
"There will be an increased number of shows from local and international performers. This will make the event even more exciting and appealing to young people and tourists," Huang said.
From tomorrow in Dajia at the Yu Jan Shin Culture Center there will be an exhibition of Matsu statues and garments, followed by traditional activities at locations in Taichung County such as dragon, lion and folk dances, martial arts exhibitions and acrobatics.
The pilgrimage is slated to begin at 11:05pm on March 25, departing from Zhenlan Temple in Dajia and led by a messenger wearing one sandal (to represent the fact he is oblivious to his own comfort) and holding an umbrella from which a pig's foot dangles.
He will be followed by a spectacular procession of flag and incense bearers, bands, troupes dressed in ancient army costumes, goddess puppets and traditional musicians.
Typically, followers seek a blessing from the goddess by kneeling before the Matsu palanquin and letting it pass over them, while firecrackers are let off.
Taking as its theme this year the phrase "Matsu is everywhere," tradition has been updated by introducing three mascots representing the goddess and her two celestial followers: Qian Li Yan (who can see for 1,000 miles) and Shun Feng Er (who hears everything carried on the wind).
These cartoon figures were unveiled at the press conference yesterday and can be downloaded on GPRS-enabled phones by sending the message "MA" to the number 55818.
Outside the Red Playhouse yesterday, the Taipei Times met up with independent legislator Yen Chin-piao (
President Chen Shui-bian (
But Yen was clearly enjoying the spotlight as one of the principal organizers of the festival and said the event would continue to grow in importance.
"Most Taiwanese grow up praying to Matsu so there will always be interest in her. This is the biggest and most significant religious event in the country and is an expression of our culture," Yen said.
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
Taiwan sweltered through its hottest October on record, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, the latest in a string of global temperature records. The main island endured its highest average temperature since 1950, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as human-induced climate change contributes to ever more erratic weather patterns. Taiwan’s average temperature was 27.381°C as of Thursday, Liu said. Liu said the average could slip 0.1°C by the end of yesterday, but it would still be higher than the previous record of 27.009°C in 2016. "The temperature only started lowering around Oct. 18 or 19
RSS