Eid al-Fitr celebrations return to Da'an Park after two-year hiatus

Taipei, May 8 (CNA) Taipei's annual Eid al-Fitr celebrations returned to Da'an Forest Park after a two-year hiatus Sunday, with around 10,000 festivalgoers enjoying an array of attractions including a Halal bazaar, outdoor cinema, and interactive cultural exchange booths.

Despite the large turnout, those in attendance complied with rules on wearing face masks and observing social distancing, which had been imposed by organizers amid an alarming rise in the number of domestic COVID-19 cases nationwide.

They were also required to show proof they had been vaccinated with at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine to gain entry to central venues, including the main stage, outdoor cinema, and cultural experience area.

In addition, festivalgoers were not allowed to eat or drink at the festival site.

Despite the restrictions, those in attendance stuck to the rules both inside and in the vicinity of the festival's main venues, with people sitting around the park voluntarily staying socially distanced.

Indonesian festivalgoers Adi Putri, Dew, and Tini told CNA that despite high COVID-19 case numbers, their employers had still encouraged them to attend, asking only that they wear a face mask and stay vigilant regarding close physical contact.

Fellow Indonesian, Ani, who told CNA that she had been in Taiwan for eight years, said that although she had still come with some friends from her home country, they had decided to stay out of the festival's main venues as there was "too much hustle and bustle."

However, she said some of her friends, many of whom work as carers for the elderly, had not come because their employers had asked them not to go to such a crowded event amid the current outbreak.

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said in his opening speech that after a two-year pandemic-imposed hiatus, the city had resolved to hold the Eid al-Fitr in Taipei festival this year despite the challenges.

Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan.