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Firecracker world record broken in Yenshui Township

A giant dragon head breathes fire at the end of the firecrackers measuring a world record length of 13km in Yenshui Township, Tainan County, yesterday. PHOTO: HUANG CHIH-YUAN, TAIPEI TIMES

The country yesterday celebrated the annual lantern festival with a bang, setting off firecrackers measuring a world record length of 13km, officials said.

The firecrackers, dubbed the "Fire Dragon Legend", were set off at 6:03pm and lasted for about 40 minutes in Tainan County's Yenshui Township (鹽水).

"This is no easy task as it will be difficult to make sure the firecrackers are not interrupted by tens of thousands of tourists," said Huang Hung-wen (黃宏文), a Tainan County Government official, before the event.

Approximately 1,500 people were mobilized and NT$1 million spent to break the existing Guinness World Record from 2002, when firecrackers 11km long were set off in Spain, he said.

At least 100,000 tourists flocked to Yenshui to experience the power of firecrackers and fireworks lasting into the night.

To ensure safety, tourists heading to Yenshui were advised to wear full face helmets and rain coats.

The renowned folk custom dates back more than 180 years when people set off beehive rockets in gratitude to a deity for dispelling a plague.

Also at the festival, a number of temples were illuminated by pig-shaped lanterns for the Year of Golden Pig, riddle contests were held and numerous sky lanterns were released.

The annual lantern festival is celebrated nationwide, falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the Lunar New Year holiday.
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