Taipei is participating in Osaka’s Festival of Lights this year, with a 3m-tall bubble tea light installation symbolizing Taiwan’s bubble tea culture.
The installation is designed as a bubble tea cup and features illustrations of Taipei’s iconic landmarks, such as Taipei 101, the Red House and North Gate, as well as soup dumplings and the matchmaking deity the Old Man Under the Moon (月下老人), affectionately known as Yue Lao (月老).
Taipei and Osaka have collaborated closely on tourism and culture since Taipei first participated in the festival in 2018, the Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism said.
Photo courtesy of the Taipei City Government
In February, Osaka represented its cuisine and tourist attractions with light installations at the Taipei Lantern Festival, the department said.
The Osaka Tourism Bureau has also confirmed the city’s participation in next year’s Taipei Lantern Festival in February, it said.
Through these festivals, the two cities continue to strengthen cultural exchange and deepen their friendship, it added.
The bubble tea light installation would evoke memories of trips to Taipei and inspire Japanese visitors to travel to the city to experience its diverse charm, department commissioner Wang Chiu-tung (王秋冬) said.
Osaka’s Festival of Lights runs until Wednesday next week.
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