Zuoying Wan Nian Folklore Festival / 左營萬年季
◎Written by Yu-Fong Wang ◎Photograph by Chung-hui Pao
Every October, the "Zuoying Wan Nian Folklore Festival" is held in Zuoying filling the area with an atmosphere of happiness and excitement. Activities are held in each and every corner of the district, and since 2006 marks the 180th anniversary of the building of the Old Fongshan City Wall, there'll be a certain historic element to the activities held.
"Zuoying Wan Nian Folklore Festival" is not a traditional festival, but a festival that came about when locals proposed that the historic resources of the area be displayed at a festival; it began in 2001. Nowadays, in terms of annual events, the Wan Nian Folklore Festival is regarded as the most well-known activity held in Zuoying.
There's also good reason why it's named the "Wan Nian Folklore Festival". Zuoying was the first area of Kaohsiung to be developed, an area that saw Han settlement during the Ming Dynasty, thus touching on the "folklore" element of the festival. Moreover, Zuoying was also the capital of Wan Nian County which was south of Tainan, hence incorporating "Wan Nian" into the name of the festival.
Historical monuments, a long history of local cuisine, and groups of people who have immigrated to Zuoying to avoid war are some of the factors that have made Zuoying an exciting mix of old and new; a place well-worth visiting. To honor these important features of the area, the annual "Zuoying Wan Nian Folklore Festival" is held religiously.
There are more than 10 sorts of activities at the Wan Nian Folklore Festival, of which the most popular include "Firecracker Show Illuminating Lotus Lake", "Firing Lion", "Cannon Siege" and "Cake Chess Playing". "Firecracker Show Illuminating Lotus Lake" provides onlookers with a breathtaking collage of sparkling lights set against a backdrop of night sky; be sure not to miss it.
The other three activities have historical and traditional relevance. "Firing Lion" represents a Life Guardian. People burn paper notes on which their wishes are written and after the "Firing Lion" completes his dance, it is said that the wishes will come true. The "Cannon Siege" is an activity simulating troops of the Ming Dynasty garrisoning the Wan Nian Castle and bombarding bandits. The "Cake Chess Playing" is a chess games with a difference; how it differs from an ordinary game is that the chess pieces are cakes. Once you take the other player's cake, you can eat it; symbolizing overwhelming defeat.
In addition to the festival, this year is the 180th anniversary of the building of the Old Fengshan City Wall, and the City Government is going to celebrate these two events together. The Zouying Castle we see today was built in 1826 AD, and it was the most magnificent stone-made castle of its time. Meanwhile the Old Fengshan City Wall was the executive center of Fengshan County, roughly including Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung County, and Pingtung County.
As time goes by, the years notch up and the "Old Fengshan City Wall" meets its 180th anniversary. With the prosperity and recession of Zouying, let's welcome the annual, joyful celebration of Zouying along with the Wan Nian Folklore Festival.
◎文／王御風 ◎攝影／鮑忠暉
每年十月，左營地區就會充滿歡樂氣氛，因為一年一度的「左營萬年季」再度登場，全左營都籠罩在一連串的活動中，而今年（2006年）又適逢左營舊城建城180年紀念，歡慶之外，更增添許多思古幽情。動中，而今年（2006年）又適逢左營舊城建城180年紀念，歡慶之外，更增添許多思古幽情。
「左營萬年季」並不是古老的傳統祭典，它是在2001年（民國90年）時，由左營地方人士倡議，整合左營的特殊歷史人文資源，創辦與當地結合的節慶活動，推出後頗受歡迎，如今已成為左營地區最具特色的活動。
至於名稱為什麼叫做「萬年季」？這因為左營是高雄市最早開發的區域，早在明鄭時代就已有漢人在此定居，而且還是今日台南以南的「萬年縣」縣治所在地，這也是「萬年季」名稱的由來。
時至今日，左營依舊保有許多古蹟，相沿許久的小吃，再加上戰後大批遷居至此的外省籍人士，讓左營融合了新與舊、各式族群，成為一個值得細細玩味的地區。一年一度的「左營萬年季」也就在此特色下，越辦越熱鬧。
萬年季的活動共有十多樣，其中最引人注目的有「光雕蓮潭花火秀」、「迓火獅」、「攻砲城」、「棋糕對奕」。「光雕蓮潭花火秀」是夜間的蓮池潭燈光照明及煙火秀，讓蓮池潭夜間更加美麗。
其餘三項則與傳統歷史有關。「迓火獅」是保生大帝坐騎─巷火獅繞行後，最後會將大家寫在紙條上的心願一起燒掉，這樣大家的心願就會達成。「攻砲城」是模仿明鄭駐軍駐守萬年城，以炮攻打土匪的遊戲。「棋糕對奕」則是象棋遊戲，不同的是用糕做成象棋，只要攻下對手棋子，可以將其下肚，代表「滿肚子的勝利」。
除了節慶外，今年更適逢左營鳳山縣舊城建城180年，市府也併同萬年季慶祝。現在我們所看到的舊城，興建於1826年（清道光６年），是當時最具氣派的石城，也是清代鳳山縣（當時的鳳山縣約管轄今日高高屏地區）的行政中心。
時光匆匆，這座鳳山縣「舊城」至今已屹立在左營達180年，看著左營的興盛衰落，更與「萬年季」一同，迎接左營每年十月的歡樂慶典。