Objectives

The experience from the previous 4 Lion Dance Cultural Festivals is taken to highlight the local Lion Dance Culture in Taishan. 9 big lions and 12 small lions were built by people of Taishan Community in 2009 and 2010, making the lion art not just a kind of performance but also a skill. Through interactive games, more people get to know the lion art in different areas. In 2011, to inherit the spirit of handmade products, lion art is expanded to an activity that every household can participate, making Taishan a "Lion Dance cultural Area" to allow the spirit of dance lion to root in Taishan.

Introduction

The main spiritual symbol of Taishan Lion Dance Cultural Festival - "Taishan Red and White Lion" is the biggest one in Taiwan, symbolizing the energies and majestic power that the Lion King has stored up for 4 years about to explode in 2011. In 2011, the lion dance of a broader horizon is brought to the public. In addition to inviting top lion dance groups, the focus is on "The Lion Dance Competition" for the 2011 event, transforming it from a multi-aspect activity to an activity focusing on one event only. In a short time span of 2 days, the activities are compressed into the Lion Dance Competition to keep the entire activity high and exciting.

About the Activity

1. Community Theater Workshop - The Art Workshop is led by artists from the theater to brainstorm and discuss about the subjects and performances. Props are made and plots designed by themselves, exhibiting a different kind of lion dance.

2. Programs for big parade on the birthday of Xianying Zhushi - Shows of the top 3 winners of the Lion Dance Competition are presented, and local groups participate Red and White Lion Parade - Red and White Lion Car Teams are parading with pilgrimage formation.

3. Local Feature Artifact Exhibition - The Red and White Lion is installed at the entrance symbolizing the spirit of Taishan and special lion heads from various districts are also exhibited majestically. Professional teachers introduce lion dance to the public so that they can better understand the lion dance culture. Community Art Exhibition - beads, paintings, figurines, industrial cultural creativity, souvenirs from previous years are displayed. Winning pieces from 2006-2010 Photography Contests held in Taishan Lion Dance Art Festival are exhibited for a complete retrospect.

4. Taishan Lion Dance Competition - Teams participated in the lion dance competition as well as teams in the parade spice up the activity. Each team does a short performance as a warmup for the competition and a prayer for their safety during the performance. Starting the activity with a festival atmosphere has become the future classical ritual for Taishan. Pictures and articles or introductions by the host are used as the pre-contest introduction so that residents understand the craftsmanship, dance steps, movements and difficulties of lion dances, increasing their anticipation in the contest. The invitation of domestic groups - to maintain the high standard of the competition, 12 lion dance teams are invited to participate in the competition. 3 winners - Top 1, 2, and 3, and 7 outstanding teams are chosen from the competition. Trophies are given to the winning teams for encouragement.

5. The Night of the Lion King - Famous performing groups that fit the topics of the festival (such as the lion dance skills and drum skills) or dance groups or bands with ethnic or local characteristics are invited to do shows in order to increase recognition of residents to the inheritance of lion king culture.

6. Lion Fun Carnival: Lion King Creative Markets, Really Yummy Food Area, Lion King Expert Fun Game Area are set up.

Local Highlights

< 3rd Grade Historic Site - Ding Taishan Temple> Ding Taishan Temple built in the 19th year (1754) of Qianlong Emperor in Qing Dynasty is the oldest temple in Taishan and has been listed as the national 3rd Grade Historic Site in the 74th year of R.O.C. It has a history of more than 250 years by now. The structure and the carvings inside the temple were done during the big renovation led by the representative master of Zhang School, Chen Yin-Bing, and his apprentice Huang Gui-Li in the 21st year of R.O.C.. The National 2nd Grade Historic Site - Taipei Dalongdong Baoan Temple is Chen Ying-Bing's representative work. The carved beams, old steles and signs are of traditional art values and worthy of taking time to appreciate. Taishan Temple is in southern architecture style which is solemn and simple. The main shrine is for worshipping Sianying Zushi and the east and west wings are for God of Hell, Guanyin, Lord Wenchang, God of Wealth and God of Earth. The temple is always crowded with people throughout the year. Ding Taishan Temple is located in the Linkou Plateau with beautiful natural landscapes and a hiking trail winding all the way up to the top. There is an observation platform near Fude Temple (God of Earth) where Xinzhuang, Taishan, Metropolis Taipei can be viewed in the distance. The broad and vast view keeps people lingering there.

< Mingzhi Academy> Mingzhi Academy is the first academy in Taiwan. It was built in the 28th year (1763) of Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty when the nobleman, Hu Zhou-Yu, in Taishan donated his house to build the academy and used rent collected on farming to pay for expenses at the academy. He felt that although Xinzhuang was already prosperous at that time, there were no academies for the local kids, thus, he decided to establish one. The next year, the academy was officially named "Mingzhi", a name chosen by Mr. Hu for he thought that people study to become saints and wisemen whose determination must be present. The Academy has been through a lot since its establishment. After the renovation done by the Taishan Township Office for worshiping Zhuzi and Mr. Hu Zhou-Yu, a part of the building before being renovated is also open to the public. At the front left side of the academy, there is a xiziting called "Jingwen Pavilion" which like Sacred-Deed Pavilion in Shulin District is one of the only 20 xizitings left in Taiwan now. Red bricks and tilts were used to build the academy in a simple style. Located next to the road of Taishan downtown, the memories of articles written in the academy as well as the sound of students reading out loud back in the old times come and go with the wind and glide into the minds of Taishan People.

Cixui Park is located right next to Taishan Senior High School and was once the graveyard of the former vice President Chen Cheng. After Mr. Chen Cheng's grave was relocated to Fo Guang Shan, the space was utilized as a leisure space for civilians. At the entrance welcoming visitors is a trail of total of 257 steps leading all the way up. Standing at the top, the world is at your feet. It's worthy of going to the top to see how the world unfolds in front of you. While walking up along the trail, you may enjoy the greenery surrounded the trail. There is a missile marked with the national emblem of the crest of sun and a white big stone carved with spiritual slogans sitting quietly by its side telling the history of no coexistence of democracy and communism. Don't be in a rush and anxious to conquer the trail; instead, walk to the sides of the big stairs at the center and walk up the wood trail built along the terrain. The wood trail is like a facility of a forest park with total 4 pavilions built along it to provide space for taking breaks along the way. The greenery in the mountain and rich phytoncide embrace visitors deeply. Enjoy the wind in the mountain, listen to cicada singing and look into the mountain in the far distance..., how wonderful life is! Reaching to the top, a beautiful view of Linkou Basin unfolds ahead.