The Eye on Taiwan news staff
The 2018 Taipei Lantern Festival kicked off in the bustling Ximending area in downtown Taipei, with Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je lighting up the main lantern during an opening ceremony held Saturday evening.
The main lantern, “Magical Dogs,” consists of three light displays of Taiwanese dogs standing in a circle, representing Taiwan’s spirit and the cultural heritage passed down from generations, according to its designer Mori Chen.
Various shapes of lanterns are on display along the section of Zhonghua Road between Ximen and Beimen stations of the Taipei Metro, while music and light shows are to be staged every day between 6:30 and 9:30 pm during the nine-day event, which will end with a closing ceremony on March 4.
