2005 Zuoying Wan Nian Festival / 左營萬年季
2005 Zuoying Wan Nian Festival
Text by Yu-Fong Wang Photos by E-Sheng Zeng & Jung-Hui Pao
The Wan Nian Festival is held annually in October in Zuoying, Kaohsiung. This carnival-like festival has once again attracted a huge crowd, providing that the old town, Zuoying definitely charms many in every respect.
The area of Zuoying has been the first area in Kaohsiung to be developed. The town of Zuoying, dates back to the Cheng-Going Jheng period in the Ming Dynasty. Many Han people settled down in Zuoying. At that time, Zuoying was also the capital city of Southern Tainan, named Wan Nian. That is how Wan Nian Festival got its name.
Up till now, Zuoying has been able to preserve many historical relics, suh as the historical town in Fongshan County, from Cing Dynasty, as well as many significant temples. By fusing old and new, Zuoying creates its own kind of charm. Besides its rich historical background, Zuoying have various ethnic groups, the famous Lotus Lake and Jhouzih Wetland Park which have all helped to shape Zuoying into an interesting place to visit.
The 2005 Wan Nian Festival took place in Zuoying and lasted for 9 days, from the 15th to 23rd October; this event drew more than 100 thousand tourists to participate. During this festival, there were many well planned programs to be enjoyed, such as folklore activities, fire lion dance, a sword contest and a boathouse cruse, etc.
Throughout the festival, creativity and innovation have constantly been demonstrated. The fireworks closely followed by a water dance on Lotus Lake, displayed fantastic visual enjoyment to all of the audiences. In addition, "Lotus Cuisine" was also fun to taste. Kaohsiung City Government even created "Song of Wan Nian", hoping that by singing this song, the image of Wan Nian Festival would be reinforced.
The Wan Nian Festival introduced Zuoying to everyone by showing its impressive cultural heritage, its beautiful mountain scenery, delicious food and intriguing activities. The vivid image of Lotus Lake would surely occupy the mind of every visitor. A journey to Zuoying at any time will guarantee you a memorable experience; whether you just to absorb the history, visit its temples or just wonder around its streets. Zuoying has something for everyone.
左營萬年季
文／王御風 攝影／曾鄂生、鮑忠暉 每年十月，左營都搖身一變，成為全高雄市最歡樂的地區，來來往往的人潮與車潮，讓左營宛如過年般熱鬧，這原因很簡單，因為左營正在進行一年一度的「萬年季」。 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」首府，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，如清代鳳山縣的縣城、高雄市最多的廟宇，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。區內有清朝就被選為鳳山八景的「泮水荷香與翠屏夕照」、戰後著名的眷村文化、更有新整修的蓮池潭「光之潭」以及成為全國模範的左營洲仔濕地，可說是個「處處有驚喜」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。 今年的左營萬年季時間從10月15日至23日，9天的活動，共吸引了數十萬名的遊客慕名而來，除了參觀左營久富盛名的古蹟、美景以及小吃外，主辦單位費盡心思策劃的各項節目，更贏得遊客的讚賞，例如結合舊民俗的象棋比賽「棋逢敵手」、盪鞦韆「天官賜福搶千秋」、拔劍比賽的「斬妖除魔七星劍」，仿古畫舫「畫舫遊艇」。 除了舊傳統，更有新玩意，蓮池潭上的煙火與水舞，共同演出了「舞動蓮潭」、2009世運會比賽項目「輕艇水球」的示範表演、樹德家商擔綱演出的服裝秀，以及利用蓮池潭名產蓮花推出的「創意蓮花餐」，都讓民眾們感到新意十足，對於能在傳統的蓮池潭畔，變出這麼多花樣，都一致叫好。 新舊的融合更呈現在「遊街」上，熱鬧的「遊街」，有傳統的民俗團隊以及火獅，更有最新潮的同人誌，讓左營城在活動期間，天天都充滿了驚奇與欣喜。主辦單位更創作出專屬左營的歌曲「花開萬年歌」，希望讓萬年季的精神一直傳唱下去。 一年一度的熱鬧活動，在「花開萬年歌」的歌聲中告一段落，但這不是句點，除了可預見的明年，會看到更熱鬧的第6屆萬年季活動外，左營的好山、好水、美食，都隨著活動而讓四海皆知，活動雖然暫告休息，但蓮池潭的美麗卻長久屹立，有空的時候，不妨到左營走走，保證是趟讓人文及精神都豐盛的旅程。 |