This February, Tainan will downsize its major folk festivals to comply with the central government’s COVID regulations. Nantian Temple, which is located downtown, has canceled nearly all of its most popular Spring Festival events. Over in Yanshuei District, the famous Beehive Fireworks Festival will be scaled down by about 80%. To reduce the risk of gatherings, tourists won’t be permitted to set off firecrackers during the two-day event.

Usually around this time of year, the locals here throw themselves into constructing fireworks for the Yanshuei Beehive Fireworks Festival. But this year, there’s little hustle or bustle. Due to an outbreak of omicron, the festival’s two-day mass procession has been canceled.

Resident
Yanshuei District
I didn’t set off the beehive rockets I bought last year, either. I put them aside for this year, thinking I’d set them up closer to the date. But I fear that if the epidemic is still bad later on, the entire festival may be canceled.

Traditionally, pilgrims from all over the country follow a parade of palanquins, setting off firecrackers along the way. This year, the parade has been canceled, and tourists from out of town won’t be permitted to set off firecrackers. Clusters of beehive rockets will be placed at 15 fixed locations. A single palanquin from a single temple will ignite the rockets at each location.

Lin I-jen
Martial Temple administrator
Other local temples will not be permitted to send palanquins, and there won’t be a parade formation. It can be said that the festival will be much reduced in scale, by about 80%.

Locals say the festival will be scaled down by about 80%, and even more if the epidemic worsens. Tainan’s Nantien Temple, which worships Lord Guan, also plans to cut some of its annual Spring Festival activities.

Member of public
It’s because of the epidemic. We have to abide by the government’s policies.

Member of public
If this epidemic doesn’t end soon, it’ll create a world of bother.

Chang Chih-chung
Nantian Temple director
In line with government directives, we have already canceled our key celebrations.

But the temple still plans to pass out red envelopes on Lunar New Year’s Eve, and to distribute lucky coins on the first day of the Year of the Tiger.

Chen Liang-pin
Borough warden
People will enter the hall when their number is up. After they pray to the gods, they will receive a red envelope as a blessing.

Nantian Temple will ask visitors to maintain a safe social distance while waiting in line for their red envelopes. Visitors must also wear a mask and complete real-name registration.