Organizers yesterday offered a sneak peek of this year's Taiwan Lantern Festival's religious culture zone, featuring a 10m-high Koxinga statue from Sikou Kaiyuan Temple valued at more than NT$3 million (US$96,027).
The statue is modeled after the 52m original in Sikou Township (溪口), visible from the main road and equivalent to a seven-story building, the Chiayi County Government said.
Photo: Wang Shan-yen, Taipei Times
Temple officials said that the cost covers only the statue itself, excluding installation, surrounding lanterns and management.
During the preview, Chiayi County Commissioner Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁) and representatives from 10 local religious groups toured the lantern zone, offered blessings for the festival and showcased some displays still under installation.
Participating organizations included Puzi Peitian Temple, Xingang Fengtian Temple, Fo Guang Shan Yuanfu Temple, Xikou Kaiyuan Temple, the Catholic Diocese of Chiayi and the Chiayi Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.
Koxinga, also known as Zheng Chenggong (鄭成功), was a 17th-century military leader who expelled Dutch colonial forces from Taiwan and established Chinese rule on the island.
Over the centuries, he has been venerated as a guardian deity in local temples, particularly in southern Taiwan, where many worshipers believe he protects communities, ensures prosperity, and safeguards livestock and crops.
This year's Taiwan Lantern Festival runs from Tuesday next week to March 15 in Chiayi County, with organizers expecting millions of visitors.
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