Many of the traditional festivals in Taiwan derive from the farmer's year, and offer the hardworking agricultural labourers a little relaxation from their efforts. Although Taiwanese society is both industrialized and commercialized, the folk festivals form an important part of modern life. The Chinese of Taiwan are very religious, and most of them worship the gods, believe in ghosts, and revere their ancestors. Thus their festivals and national events include prayers for blessings and good luck, exorcising evil spirits, living in harmony with nature, and family gatherings. The pace of living is dictated by the agricultural calendar, religious tradition, and folklore, finding expression in the harvest festival, prayers in the temples, ancestral rituals and other such manifestations. The three most important annual festivals are: the festival of the new lunar year, the dragon festival, and the mid-autumn festival. All three are occasions for families to get together, and are colourful, happy national events that attract large crowds.
Acknowledgements:
The exhibition is presented under the auspices of the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Isra