歡迎光臨高雄市新聞局

The most traditional lantern festival in southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung Lantern Festival kicked off on February 16, 2008 with the theme of "Love, Happiness". This year's two-week long lantern festival features the tallest theme lantern on the sea and marvelous international performances, which makes Kaohsiung City radiate with a joyful festive atmosphere.

　The theme lantern launched on the sea is the most catching focus of this year's festival. The theme lantern "Expecting The World Games in the Year of Rat" is mounted at the mouth of Love River instead of at its center which is the usual location. The 20-meter high, 12-ton lantern is the first one mounted on the sea in Taiwan. It consists of 1,512 energy-saving LED light tubes with multiple lighting combinations presenting diversified lighting effects. When the theme lantern is lit up, its imposing magnificence represents Kaohsiung's determination of embracing the world and greeting the World Games 2009.

　The water dance performances and fireworks are also the best of all years past. Specially-designed fireworks such as the "I Love KH" slogan and Mickey Mouse graphic are set along with stunning spouts of dancing water to bring about a wonderful visual feast. It is worth noting that the background music for the theme performance was composed by Jamii Szmadzinski. This Grammy Award winner created the theme music named "Love River" especially for this year's lantern festival.

　This year, the lantern festival is more than merely a theme lantern and traditional festive lanterns. Light, music, and performances are integrated to create cheerful visual enjoyment. During the 16 days of the festival, different theme performances are organized every day. Performances are sponsored by sister cities in Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Seattle, and Portland. Famous cultural and art performance groups from around the nation and the world will also join this event. There are cultural and art parades, street performances, installation art displays, a "Love, Happiness" blessing corner, mini World Games, a family fun park, local specialty stands, gourmet carnivals, and so forth. Such diversity will not only satisfy the cravings of Kaohsiung residents, but also attract millions of tourists. Heavy visitor flows are expected throughout the festival dates. With the city government's ability of providing diverse and internationalized festival programs and managing large events, the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung will definitely be more remarkable and worth anticipating.

2008高雄燈會
◎文／王御風  ◎攝影／鮑忠暉

　「愛‧幸福」2008高雄燈會藝術節，這個南台灣最具傳統的燈會，於２月16日正式登場，展開長達半個月的元宵嘉年華，不僅有全台最高、位於海面上的主燈，更有來自世界各地的精彩表演，讓高雄市洋溢在一片喜氣洋洋的燈海中。

　今年高雄燈會最令人驚豔就是位於海中的主燈，不同於以往座落愛河中央的主燈，今年的主燈「金鼠迎世運」，架設在愛河出海口，成為全台首座位於海上的主燈，其高有20公尺，重約12公噸。所使用的是ＬＥＤ環保節能燈，光管數量高達1512支，並裝設多層次燈光變化，呈現出多元的燈光效果。主燈點亮時，在海上展現出磅礡的氣勢，象徵著高雄市迎向世界，迎接2009世運會的決心。

　搭配主燈的水舞、煙火秀為歷年之冠，甚至特別研發新式煙火，如「我愛高雄」字樣、米老鼠花式煙火等，再配合曼妙的水柱共舞，絕對是一場精彩的視覺震撼。值得一提的是主燈、水舞、煙火展演的背景音樂，是美國葛萊美獎音樂得主Jamii Szmadzinski為今年燈會特別創作『Love River』主題曲。

　除了主燈及傳統的各式花燈外，今年市府更將燈會的規模擴大，結合燈光、音樂、表演，形成熱鬧非凡的視覺饗宴。為期16天的節慶活動中，光榮碼頭的主舞台，每天都會輪番上演精彩的主題之夜，除了有來自日本、韓國、蒙古、西雅圖、波特蘭等地姐妹及友誼城市的表演之外，還有許多國內外知名的文化藝術表演團體，展演活動還包括文化藝術踩街活動、街頭表演藝術、裝置藝術、愛．幸福祈福區、世運體驗、親子遊樂園、地方特色攤位、美食嘉年華等，內容豐富多元，讓高雄市民大呼過癮，更吸引全台各地百萬遊客慕名前來，每天將愛河、光榮碼頭等主場地擠得水洩不通，而從燈會節目的國際化、多樣性，以及市府對大型活動的掌控，明年的2009世運會，絕對會更加精彩，讓人充滿期待。