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2013 Taichung City Mazu International Festival
2/15～5/19
Words by Taichung City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau
Translated by Angel Pu
The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage, which takes place annually during the third lunar month, is regarded as not only Taiwan's most celebrated traditional religious and cultural event--with the majority of Mazu followers located in central Taiwan, but also as one of the world's three major religious festivals. In 2010, the Ministry of Culture designated the event as one of the nation's most important folk customs, essentially making it a precious Taiwanese cultural asset. Soon after that, Taichung--a "city of culture"--naturally initiated Taiwan's very first Mazu International Festival. This year, Taichung's centuries-old temples will once again coordinate, as in previous years, to maintain this cultural tradition as well as promote Mazu's compassionate practices in our society.
From February 15 to May 19 this year, a total of eight grand-scale traditional folk art performances and evening entertainment shows will be held at Jenn Lann Temple in Dajia district, Wanhe Temple in Nantun district, Lecheng Temple in Hanxi district, Haotian Temple and Chaoyuan Temple in Wuchi district, Wanxing Temple in Shengang district, Wanxing Temple in Dadu district, Jiuzhuangma in Xinshe district and Taichung City Seaport Art Center (see below).
It is highly recommended that visitors experience the "Mazu Birthday Frenzy" pilgrimage commencement ceremony at 11 p.m. on April 5 (Fri.). Right after the ceremony, the nine-day, eight-night pilgrimage will begin. Its route will cross four cities and counties, and stretch about 300 kilometers. To find out more information regarding temple-related and cultural activities, please visit our official website: http://www1.culture.taichung.gov.tw/mazu/2013/index.asp or call Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau at (04) 2228-9111, ext. 25405 ~25425.
| Date |
Activities |
Location |
| 2/15(Fri.)~4/30(Tue.) |
The Elegance of Centuries-old Temples and
Religious Events |
Every Temple
|
| 3/17(Sun.)~5/20(Mon.) Application Period |
Watercolor Painting Contest of Mazu
Portraying |
Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau
of recipient
|
| 3/17(Sun.)~5/20(Mon.) Application Period |
"Take a Pilgrimage Trip with Mazu"
An Activity of Photos Collection and Internet
Voting |
Website Collection
|
| 4/5(Fri.) |
Ceremony Viewing Activity |
Da Jia Jenn Lann Temple
|
| 4/5(Fri.)~4/14(Sun.) |
Da Jia Jenn Lann Temple Pilgrimage |
Da Jia Jenn Lann Temple
|
| 4/10(Wed.)~5/2(Thu.) |
Hanxi Lecheng Temple Patrolling 18 Village
in 2013 |
Hanxi Lecheng Temple
|
| 4/13(Sat.)~5/19(Sun.) |
2013 Mazu Cultural Bus |
Taichung City
|
| 4/13(Sat.)~5/19(Sun.) |
Protect and Bless Local Residents:
Show of the Mazu Historical Relics, Cultural
and Creative Products |
Taichung City Seaport Art Center, Exhibition Room "A"
|
| 4/27(Sat.)~4/28(Sun.) |
Greet Mazu with Creative and "Hot" Parade
Formation |
Taichung City Seaport Art Center
|
| 4/27(Sat.)~4/28(Sun.) |
Wuchi Chaoyuan Temple Pilgrimage |
Wuchi Chaoyuan Temple
|
| 4/28(Sun.) |
"Sedan Running" in Wuchi Chaoyuan Temple |
Wuchi Chaoyuan Temple
|
| 5/2(Thu.) |
Shekou Wanxing Temple Pilgrimage |
Shekou Wanxing Temple
|
| 5/2(Thu.)~7/2(Tue.) |
Nantun Wanhe Temple "Naming Drama" |
Nantun Wanhe Temple
|
| 5/10(Fri.)~5/29(Wed.) |
Dadu Dist. Wurih Dist. Longjing Dist.
SIBAO 20 Villages Mazu Pilgrimage |
Dadu Wanxing Temple
|
| 7/1(Mon.)~9/3(Tue.) |
The Beauty of Mazu Culture Fair |
Huizhong Building of New City Hall |
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April 2013
