Taiwan Lantern Festival to highlight cultural diversity: Co-organizer

Taoyuan, Feb. 2 (CNA) The Taoyuan City government, co-organizer of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival, announced Sunday the event will highlight the city's rich cultural diversity and ethnic heritage alongside its signature lantern displays.

From Feb. 12-23, the festival will feature daily themed performances - - excluding the opening and closing days -- celebrating Taoyuan's fusion of tradition and modern culture, the city government said in a press release.

With over 80 performances planned, the festival will showcase Minnan, Hakka, Indigenous, and new immigrant cultures, as well as international acts from Japan, France and the Philippines, it said.

The lineup also includes orchestral music, traditional arts, sports demonstrations, folk performances and global artistic showcases, the city government added.

An opening-day parade at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 in front of the A18 High-Speed Rail Station will feature 19 performing groups -- including the Philippine dance troupe Bailes de Luces and Kaohsiung-based Gift Box Theater -- it said.

Other than being the 36th edition of the festival, 2025 is also the first time in nine years the annual event has been held in Taoyuan, co-organized by the city government and the Tourism Administration.