Friends from afar Joined to Witness Kaohsiung’s New Vision. International Atmosphere Added to the Traditional Lantern Festival

Invited by the Department of Administrative and International Affairs, friends from sister and friendly cities joined the citizens at the 2019 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival from February 15th-18th. They also visited various sites of city development, which could increase potential future collaboration. Their participation at the International Luncheon and International Night had brought multicultural atmosphere to the traditional festival and amazed the crowds.

International friends responded with enthusiasm to the first Lantern Festival since Mayor Han took office last December. Friends from Hachioji City, Kumamoto Prefecture and City of Japan, Suwon City, Busan City, Daegu City and Daejeon City of Korea, as well as Portland City of USA, all joined the event. On February 16th, Mayor Han and Mrs. Han hosted the International Luncheon organized by the Department of Administrative and International Affairs. Led onto the stage by Kaohsiung Mascot Bear Hero, page boys and flower girls, Mayor Han and Mayor Yeom of Suwon City signed the friendly city agreement on this special love-themed occasion.

Performances brought by the sister and friendly cities amazed the crowds at the International Night of Lantern Festival. Spectators were indulged in the dance by YOSAKOI-Soran Club from Hachioji City and the musical performance by Busan Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the crowd happily swayed with the mascot of Kumanoto Prefecture, Kumamon, and the Kaohsiung Mascot Bear Hero as they had their joyful reunion dance. The International Night was a great occasion for citizens to see the fruitful result of city exchanges.

Aside from experiencing the lantern festival atmosphere, international friends also visited Port Warehouse No.2, somatosensory technology innovation industry (KOSMOS), National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), the British Consulate, Museum of History and Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. These city tours brought our friends to experience more about Kaohsiung from historic, religious and technological aspects.

“It is always a pleasure to greet friends from afar,” says Dr. Jeremy Wang, the Director-General of Department of Administrative and International Affairs. All cities and citizens are friends of Kaohsiung, and we should increase city exchanges. Visits from sister and friendly cities bring about closer connection in business and travel, as well as substantial benefits for our city and citizens.