2009 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival / 2009高雄燈會
2009 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival
◎Text by Fu-Ju Lin
◎Photos by Chung-Hui Pao
The event that everyone most looks forward to after nine days of Chinese New Year holidays is the Lantern Festival. This year, Kaohsiung Lantern Festival started early on January 31st. Fireworks, water dances and lanterns made Love River and Kaohsiung Harbor the most beautiful spots.
In addition to the unique water concept, this year's festival had a theme associated with the World Games, which will kick off in July. The theme show "Speedy Ox in The World Games; Love．Happiness in Kaohsiung" reveals Kaohsiung's full determination in welcoming The World Games.
The 2009 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival had six characteristics that topped the other festivals. First, the harbor side Speedy Ox Theme Lantern, together with the newly designed awe-inspiring fireworks and water dance, created a four-dimensional spectacle in the sky, the harbor, the river and on land.
Second, the 10-floor high Love River Magic Box projecting light and shadow effects and the cute Mascot Spotlight standing in the center of Love River welcomed everyone. Third, The World Games Carnival at Love Pier, which combined fun rides with The World Games activities, was great for families.
Fourth, the giant theme lantern riding on the sea utilized environmentally friendly materials. Its heart shaped screen broadcasted different lantern shows and The World Games video clips. Fifth, the "High Altitude Fireworks" were the best in Taiwan. The show featured international award winning fireworks and the "W 2009" fireworks which brightened Kaohsiung's night and symbolized the coming of The World Games. Sixth, the 2009 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival was integrated with charity. Performances were given by local and international groups over the 16 days of the festival. Stands were set up for minority groups where people could participate in the "One Dollar For Small Lantern" and other charity activities. Kaohsiung Lantern Festival was indeed full of "Love．Happiness".
The opening ceremony on the 31st was hosted by President Ma and Mayor Chu Chen. With everyone's anticipation, they pressed the button to ignite the lantern at 7:00 p.m. The Speedy Ox Theme Lantern and the high-rise heart shaped screen sent out colorful beams which revealed the theme of "Love．Happiness". Fireworks and the water dance set off simultaneously. The gorgeous display of fireworks and lanterns accompanied by music inspired water dance was powerful and yet sometimes tender. The audience cheered repeatedly at the amazing scene.
The theme show "Speedy Ox in The World Games; Love．Happiness in Kaohsiung" which integrated water dances, theme lanterns and fireworks was the climax of the festival every day. The show featured special light effects. The theme song was a collaboration between Grammy winner Jamii Szmadzinski and Taiwanese super band Mayday. The combination of classic and rock music unfolded an unprecedented vitality. Each day, when the show started, crowds gathered around and cheered for the performances.
The 2009 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival provided a variety of activities. It declared that Kaohsiung residents are ready for the coming World Games. The success of the Lantern Festival ensured everyone that The World Games in July 2009 will be an impressive grand event.
2009高雄燈會
◎文／王御風
◎攝影／鮑忠暉
經過九天愉快的新春假期，在元宵節之前大家最期待就是高雄燈會。已成為臺灣最耀眼的新春燈會，更提前在大年初六（31日）登場，在煙火、水舞、花燈的點綴下，讓愛河與高雄港成為元宵節前後最美麗的景點。
今年的高雄燈會，除了高雄特有的河港水意象之外，同時連結了即將於七月登場的世界運動會，今年的主燈以「奔牛迎世運、高雄愛幸福」為主軸，令人矚目的煙火也與世運有關，象徵高雄市全力迎接世運的決心。
除此之外，2009高雄燈會更有「全台唯一」六大特色，樣樣精采。首先是佇立於港灣的奔牛主燈將與全新設計的高空璀璨煙火、夢幻水舞，搭配出空中、港灣、愛河及陸地的四度空間奇觀。二是愛河旁有十層樓高運用光影投射技巧的「愛河魔寶盒」，更有愛河水道中央可愛的「水精靈光廊」共同攜手歡迎大家的蒞臨。三是位於真愛碼頭的「世運嘉年華」，首創結合機械式遊樂設施與世運體驗項目，適合全家光臨。
四是以環保節能素材呈現的大型海上意象主燈，心型彩幕裡將輪流展演高雄燈會及世運精采內容。五是全台最強「高空璀璨煙火」，除了獻上國際得獎煙火外，將首發象徵2009世界運動會的「Ｗ2009」煙火，讓高雄的夜空更為閃亮。六是2009高雄燈會藝術節為期最長並結合公益的燈會，16天期間有國內外及高雄藝術團隊接力展演，並有「一元愛心換小燈」等捐助及弱勢攤位活動，讓高雄燈會藝術節洋溢「愛．幸福」，成為全台最幸福的燈會。
31日的燈會開幕式，由馬總統與陳菊市長共同主持。晚間7點，在大家的引頸企盼下，兩人共同按鈕點燈後，主燈生肖「牛」的一對牛角與高高舉起心型彩幕，瞬間發出七彩光芒，不僅突顯燈會主題「愛‧幸福」；同時間，煙火、水舞也交織一片，滿天的火樹銀花映著隨音樂起舞的水波，時而氣勢磅礡，時而溫柔婉約，贏得群眾喝采連連。
而這個由水舞、主燈、煙火搭配的「奔牛迎世運、高雄愛幸福」主題秀，更是每日燈會活動的最高潮。除了讓人目不暇給的燈光效果外，主題音樂由葛萊美獎得主Jamii 與台灣超人氣音樂團體五月天合作，當古典遇上搖滾，展現跨界的空前氣勢。每天一到表演時間，就是萬人鑽動，驚嘆歡呼聲此起彼落。
今年高雄燈會活動，不但內容更為豐富多元，也向市民宣告高雄迎世運「已經準備好了！」。經過這次成功的燈會，更讓市民有信心，7月的2009世運會必定會帶來更讓人難忘的一場盛會。