Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang attended a press conference for the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival at the Taoyuan City Government Comprehensive Conference Room on the afternoon of the 27th. The event marked the launch of the festival’s theme, Lights Playground, and its official teaser video. Mayor Chang announced that in addition to the Main Lantern Exhibition Area, which will be located in front of the A18 Taoyuan HSR Station at the Taoyuan Airport MRT, a second exhibition area called Lights Playground will be created near the A19 Taoyuan Sports Park Station. This area will feature a variety of family-friendly elements, including Pokémon and circus-themed displays. It will also highlight the diverse cultural characteristics of Taoyuan, such as its Hakka, Minnan, and new immigrant cultures, as well as its scenic ponds, water systems, and rural regeneration efforts. The five main lantern areas will begin a trial run on February 7, 2025, and the festival will officially open on February 12, 2025, coinciding with the Main Lantern Exhibition Area. The event will continue through February 23, 2025, inviting visitors to explore the unique charm of Taoyuan.
Mayor Chang emphasized that the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival, returning to Taoyuan after nine years, has generated great anticipation among local residents. He expressed confidence that the festival would deliver an unforgettable experience, with various city departments working together to prepare for this major event. Mayor Chang also hopes that through the release of today’s first teaser video, the festival will be promoted globally to Chinese-speaking communities via the far-reaching internet, allowing everyone to experience the unique charm of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which sets it apart from previous editions.
Deputy Director-General Hsin-jen Lin of the Tourism Administration, MOTC, highlighted that this will be the 36th edition of the Taiwan Lantern Festival, and it has been nine years since it was last held in Taoyuan. The main lantern area of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival will be located in front of the A18 Taoyuan HSR Station. Visitors will be able to enjoy a baseball field-themed layout integrated into the lantern displays, paying tribute to Taiwan's baseball heroes. Additionally, the area will feature interactive technology, offering a fun and innovative experience for attendees. This collaboration with the Taoyuan City Government will ensure that the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival continues to shine brightly on the global stage.
At the press conference, Commissioner Po-yin Chou of the Department of Tourism provided a detailed introduction to the five main themes of Lights Playground and the festival’s mascots. Commissioner Chou explained that the Lights Playground will span over 20 hectares of urban space, including Chintan Park, Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium, and the Hakka Expo Transfer Station, with connections between the A18 and A19 MRT stations. The five main lantern areas will include Vibrant Light Hub, Bright Horizons Theater, City Spotlight, Welcome to Chintan Park, and Fortune's Glow. Additionally, the festival will collaborate with the internationally renowned Pokémon IP to create a whimsical and magical atmosphere, allowing both children and adults to find joyful memories in 'Taoyuan, the City for Families.'
Commissioner Po-yin Chou of the Department of Tourism also mentioned that the design company 'IF OFFICE' was commissioned to create six festival mascots inspired by the natural imagery of Taoyuan's ponds, with designs that incorporate heart-shaped peaches. The mascots, named 'Pond Pond' 'Pippi' 'Tracy' 'Maomao','Ray,' and 'Loong' embody the spirit of the festival. The design draws inspiration from the natural environment of Taoyuan’s ponds and integrates the themes of the five main exhibition areas of the lantern festival, blending elements such as the contours of ponds, heart-shaped eyes, leaf reflections, and the light and shadow play of the ponds to showcase Taoyuan’s diverse character.
The Department of Public Information announced that today's press conference unveiled the first official teaser video for the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival. The video features the graceful and fresh actress Yu-han Lien as the lead, blending the magical atmosphere of the lantern festival. It takes viewers on a journey through Taoyuan's natural landscapes, pond imagery, iconic venues, and popular attractions, showcasing the city's diverse urban charm. For more information about the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival, please visit the official website: https://2025taiwanlanternfestival.org/.
Among those in attendance at the event were Councilor Mei-mei Chen, Deputy Director-General Hsin-jen Lin from the Tourism Administration, MOTC, Chief Secretary Wen-chung Hsieh from the National Immigration Agency, Head of Tourism and Transportation Mr. Ichwan Joesoef from the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office, Commissioner Po-yin Chou from the Department of Tourism, Director Chu-tung Lo from the Department of Public Information, Director Cheng-sheng Chiu from the Department of Cultural Affairs, Director Chiang-tai-chi Fan from the Department of Hakka Affairs, Director Tzu-jung Tu from the Department of Women and Children Development, Director Chia-ling Hou from the Department of Youth Affairs, Director Kuan-i Chen from the Department of Agriculture, Head of the Secretariat Chien-kuo Yu, Deputy Director Pin-chun Lan from the Department of Civil Affairs, District Chief Min-sung Hsu from Taoyuan District, General Manager Hsiu-kuan Hung from Taoyuan Aerotropolis Co., Ltd., and sponsors of the Lantern Festival.
