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HKETCO promotes HK at Nantou and Taichung lantern festivals (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (ETCO) is participating for the first time at the Taiwan Lantern Festival, the biggest lantern carnival in Taiwan, exhibiting large-scale replicas of Hong Kong's delicacies as well as fascinating photos and videos to give Taiwan people a glimpse of our diversity and cultural heritage.

     The 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival opened officially today (February 14) and will run until February 23 in Nantou, Taiwan. Speaking on Hong Kong's involvement, the ETCO Director, Mr John Leung, said, "We are very pleased to be given the opportunity to take part in the Taiwan Lantern Festival, which is a landmark annual event in Taiwan. Instead of traditional lanterns, we have produced three sets of Hong Kong food replicas, including a pineapple bun with butter, barbecue pork buns and wonton noodles, with a view to bringing a taste of Hong Kong to the lantern festival."

     In addition, a five-metre tall LED video-wall has been erected by the ETCO to present photos and videos on different aspects of Hong Kong and lessons on how to say auspicious words in Cantonese, giving the Taiwan public a chance to learn more about our traditions and local customs.

     The ETCO is also taking part in the 2014 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taichung City again as a co-organiser. Under the theme "Savor the Flavor of Hong Kong", 26 lanterns modelled on Hong Kong delicacies including milk tea, egg custard tarts, curry fish balls, rice rolls, poon choi, cart noodles and others are being displayed.

     "While some of the lanterns were shipped from Hong Kong, some were designed in Hong Kong and produced in Taiwan under the supervision of a local master lantern maker, Mr Lin Jiann Eri, making the exhibition a product of Hong Kong-Taiwan co-operation," Mr Leung said.

     Three thousand sets of Hong Kong-style food and drinks will be distributed today, including milk tea, soda with salted lemon, baked barbecue pork puffs and pineapple buns with butter, to allow Taiwan people to get a real taste of authentic Hong Kong cuisine and local culture.

     "Going to yum cha in the morning or at noon, or enjoying a pineapple bun and milk tea at Hong Kong-style cafes is the habit of many Hong Kong people, and has already become part of our daily lives," Mr Leung added.

     In addition to the lantern display and free distribution of Hong Kong food items, the ETCO will also stage a spectacular performance titled "Hong Kong Night" at the closing gala of the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival on February 23, featuring Hong Kong singers and a special fashion show on cheongsams that incorporates traditional beauty and modern creativity.

     The cheongsams were designed by the staff, alumni and students of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Institute of Textiles and Clothing, and were first presented at the "Legacies and Innovations: Cheongsam Fashion Show", the opening programme of Hong Kong Week 2013 held in Taipei last year.

     Two Hong Kong promotional publications will also be distributed to visitors at the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival for free. One is an attractively designed notebook featuring Old Master Q, a well-known Hong Kong comic-strip character, with a series of short stories on Hong Kong's distinctive culture and local customs. The other is the latest issue of "Art and Culture@Hong Kong", with updates on Hong Kong's art, design, culture and creativity, natural landscape and heritage revitalisation, serving to illustrate Hong Kong's cultural glamour and unique blend of the East and West.

     By lining up a wide range of activities at the two lantern festivals, the ETCO hopes that the people of Taiwan will gain a better and deeper understanding of Hong Kong by seeing the city from different perspectives.

Ends/Friday, February 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:45

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