TAINAN (TVBS News) — The Lu-er-men Sheng Mu Temple in Tainan hosted a Qixi Festival party on Sunday (Aug. 20), celebrating romantic love and drawing numerous hopefuls seeking their perfect partner.
Qixi Festival, also known as the Double Seventh Festival or Chinese Valentine's Day, falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. In 2023, this special day occurs on Aug. 22.
The temple joined forces with Tainan City Government to commemorate this upcoming romance date. Upon its announcement, the event captured the public's attention, with 180 slots for male participants snapped up within just 27 minutes. The registration information garnered over 30,000 shares and likes.
The image of Yue Lao, the god of marriage and love in Chinese mythology, adorned various places during this love-filled season.
This marks the second successful event organized by Lu-er-men Sheng Mu Temple. Earlier in May this year, the temple partnered with Tainan City Government for the "Love in Luermen — Matchmaking by Yue Lao" social event, which resulted in 27 matched couples.
The Qixi Festival event was another resounding success. It commenced with a delightful ice-breaking afternoon tea, followed by a flavorsome love-themed banquet at 7 p.m.
Classic love songs set the mood during the banquet, accompanied by lively performances and four engaging large-scale interactive matchmaking games. These activities allowed the 360 male and female participants to foster connections.
Wang Tseng-jung, the temple chairman, noted the event's immense popularity, stating that even after registrations closed, the temple received more than ten calls daily, with many inquiring about additional spots.
The temple aims to organize more events for young people, create more heavenly matches and attract a greater flow of tourists.