Cultural Exchange between Taiwan and Japan: Promoting Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival through Tottori Umbrella Dance Festival
New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Department Press Release, 2024.08.14
Cultural Exchange between Taiwan and Japan: Promoting Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival through Tottori Umbrella Dance Festival
[New Taipei City News] The New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Department was invited to Tottori Prefecture, Japan, for a tourism exchange, participating in the summer grand event, the "Tottori Umbrella Dance Festival," held on August 14. The delegation sincerely invited Tottori Prefecture to participate in the upcoming "2024 New Taipei Christmasland" and the "2025 New Taipei Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival."
Tottori Prefecture, located in the western part of Japan’s Honshu Island and bordered by the Sea of Japan, is home to Japan's largest sand dunes. These dunes led to the creation of the world's only indoor museum that uses sand as the material for sculptures—the Sand Museum. With its unique themes, natural landscapes, and integration of tourism and art education, Director-General Yang Tsung-Min noted that the Tottori Sand Dunes and the Sand Museum share similar scenic attractions with the Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival and Bali Sand Sculpture in New Taipei City. The stunning coastal landscapes of Uratomi, with its sea-eroded cliffs, also resemble the fascinating geological formations found along New Taipei’s North Coast and Northeast Coast, such as Camel Peak, Candle Holder Islets, Nanya Rock, and Laomei Green Reef. This exchange strengthens the friendship between the two regions and mutually promotes tourism, enhancing the benefits of both regions' tourism industries.
During this visit, the Tourism and Travel Department will also experience the umbrella dance culture. Director-General Yang stated that this is not only an opportunity to gain insights and learn about the promotion of local festivals but also to explore world-class large-scale events that can help elevate the quality of New Taipei City’s activities. Additionally, this exchange provides an opportunity to discuss potential interactions in tourism and culture between the two regions. The Tottori Umbrella Dance Festival attracts a large number of tourists every year. In 2014, it was registered in the Guinness World Records as the largest umbrella dance. The highlight of the festival is the umbrella dance itself, which has been adapted from the traditional Inaba Umbrella Dance originating from eastern Tottori Prefecture. The red umbrellas symbolize the Tottori Sand Dunes, while the blue umbrellas represent the Sea of Japan, with bells attached to the umbrellas that jingle as the dancers move, showcasing the rich traditional culture of the area.
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in New Taipei City, with its deep cultural roots, originated from the Qing Dynasty, where villagers would release sky lanterns as a way to send messages of peace. Over time, it has evolved into the "New Taipei City Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival," a celebration of hope and dreams with significant cultural heritage. This traditional Lantern Festival event has grown from a local New Year’s blessing ritual into an international spectacle, filled with warmth and profound meaning. On the other hand, the New Taipei Christmasland is one of the most anticipated Christmas events in Taiwan, marking its 14th year this year. With elements of warmth, joy, and happiness, Banqiao District is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland that has become a highly anticipated and well-regarded event each year. Everyone is welcome to join the festivities!
At the banquet on August 13, Director-General Yang exchanged gifts featuring the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and Christmasland with Tottori Prefecture, introducing New Taipei’s two major events and extending a warm invitation to participate in the upcoming 2025 Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and 2024 Christmasland. Through this exchange, it is hoped that the friendship between the two regions will be further strengthened, promoting New Taipei’s cultural events and enhancing tourism benefits. In the future, New Taipei City will continue to strengthen exchanges with international cities, promote the international market for the tourism industry, and allow more foreign friends to discover and experience the charm of New Taipei City.
【This news release has been translated by ChatGPT.】
