Taiwan's "Daxi Daxi" Festival Opens with Grand Parade of Traditional Arts

The "Daxi Daxi" cultural festival, celebrating the deity Guan Sheng Di Jun, has officially opened in Taiwan with a vibrant ceremony and a large-scale parade. The event, a collaboration between the Daxi Wood Art Eco-Museum and the Puji Temple, commenced with桃園 Mayor Zhang Shanzheng leading a procession carrying the deity's palanquin.

The opening parade featured a dazzling array of traditional performing groups, including the eye-catching "Da Xian Weng" (giant puppet) troupes, drum corps, and traditional Northern Pipe music ensembles. These groups paraded along Heping Old Street, performing for the crowds that gathered for the weekend festivities. The procession concluded at Puji Temple, where the deity's palanquin was ceremoniously placed, marking the official start of the century-old cultural and religious event.

Mayor Zhang Shanzheng noted that the celebration, traditionally held on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, has been a way for the local community to express gratitude for divine blessings. He highlighted that the custom, which began during the agricultural era, now involves 32 community groups, with seven of them preserving the traditional Northern Pipe music, a testament to dedicated training and heritage preservation.

The "Daxi Daxi" festival will continue until August 6, culminating in a procession on the actual birthday of Guan Sheng Di Jun. This year's theme focuses on "Celebration Music," with a program of 40 events. These include concerts, a "Da Xian Weng" challenge, folk art workshops, and guided historical walks. Special themed merchandise, such as "Daxi Daxi Northern Pipe Gentleman Hats" and "Guan Gong Snacks," are also available for purchase.