With only three days left until the end of the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival, exciting programs continue to unfold. Taiwan’s representative opera troupe—Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group—performed the classic production “Six Centuries of Lantern Light” this evening (13th), blending traditional Taiwanese opera with modern stage technology to present a story that spans six centuries of lantern culture.

Founded in 1929, Ming Hwa Yuan has nearly a century of history and has long been active on domestic and international stages. Known for integrating operatic singing, martial arts performance, and large-scale stage technology, the troupe has been invited many times to perform at lantern festivals and international cultural exchange events.

“Six Centuries of Lantern Light” centers on the culture of Lantern Festival lanterns. The story begins in the final years of the Yuan Dynasty amid warfare, where a modern-day elementary school student travels through time to assist in historical events. The stage transitions from ancient battlefields to modern lantern festival night scenes, symbolizing the enduring six-hundred-year legacy of lantern culture.

This performance not only showcased the artistic charm of Taiwanese opera but also conveyed the spirit of “undying lights and everlasting culture.” Audiences immersed in the sea of lanterns could feel the vitality of traditional arts transcending time, adding rich cultural depth to the Taiwan Lantern Festival.

Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang also attended the performance to enjoy Ming Hwa Yuan’s brilliant staging. He expressed gratitude to the troupe for returning to Chiayi after seven years to once again present “Six Centuries of Lantern Light” for the Taiwan Lantern Festival.

He also thanked the public for their passionate support. Although he joked that his daily “patrolling the internet” has become increasingly stressful and his voice increasingly hoarse, he emphasized that the happiness of the people matters most.

Regarding the public’s frequent requests to extend the lantern festival, Magistrate Weng said he understands the sentiment, but noted, “The Taiwan Lantern Festival is wonderful every day, and the staff work hard every day.” He humorously added, “The county government’s main job is not to run lantern festivals, but to serve the people,” so the festival cannot be extended.