TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taitung Thean Hou Temple (天后宮) will host pop icon Jeannie Hsieh (謝金燕) on March 4, blending traditional Lantern Festival celebrations with contemporary music in an unprecedented variety show.
The lineup features South Korean DJ SODA, rap group Nine One One (玖壹壹), and electronic music pioneer Jerry Lo (羅百吉). Organizers expect the star-studded roster to draw massive crowds. The event aims to elevate the festival's profile across Taiwan.
The festival will also host the "Bombing of Master Han Dan" (炮炸寒單) ceremony on March 4 in front of Thean Hou Temple. The event, known for explosive firecracker displays, has marked the Lantern Festival since 1951. Authorities banned the ceremony but restored it in 1998, making it a key celebration highlight.
Taitung County, a region in southeastern Taiwan, recognized the Bombing of Master Han Dan as cultural heritage in 2007. The festival has gained international attention in recent years. It remains most vibrant on the 15th and 16th days of the lunar month.