President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen arrived at the festival at around 10am and was warmly welcomed by tourists as well as children.
While handing out candies, the president reminisced about his impoverished childhood when he saw a sugar cane vehicle pass by. Chen, the son of a poor tenant farmer, talked about how he had to cook meals as a child while his parents were busy working out in the fields.
The president said the more affluent young generation of today can't imagine the difficulties that his generation had to face.
He also said that the prosperity that Taiwan now enjoys is the result of the efforts and contributions of the 23 million people of Taiwan, adding that everyone should cherish the hard-earned fruits of their labor.
The festival, which is co-organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Tainan County Government and the Taiwan Agricultural Strategy Coalition, has 11 sections. These include candy exhibitions from 25 countries, music and theater for children, a science fun house, a playground for children, a 3-D animation theater, a Yami cultural gallery and an outdoor carnival.
Three of the most popular attractions are the International Candy Exhibition Hall, the Candy Fun House and the International Chocolate Exhibition Hall.
The festival will run through Feb. 28.
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