Last Updated on February 15, 2025, 6:37 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The ‘Vibrant Folklore’ lantern, showcased by the Embassy of St Kitts and Nevis, was a lively and energetic display at the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan. A Lantern Switch-on ceremony was held to officially light up the lantern on Wednesday, February 12th, 2025.
The ceremony was opened by Jacinth Hunkins with a steel pan rendition. The stunning lantern festival featured five (5) iconic, traditional folklore groups from the twin island nation, including the Moko Jumbie, the Clown, the Actors, the Bull, and the Masquerade, set against a backdrop image of Nevis’ peak.
Attendees at the Lantern Switch-on ceremony
The ceremony was attended by St Kitts and Nevis Donya L. Francis (Ambassador to Taiwan), Dr Chia Lung Lin (Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs), Dr Hsin-Jen Lin (Deputy Director General of the Taiwan Tourism Administration), Wen Chuan Huang (Lantern Teacher), and Kevrone Phipps (St Kitts and Nevis Student and Cultural Ambassador).
Significance of the ceremony
Ambassador to Taiwan Donya L. Francis said that it was especially significant to capture their folklore in this lantern display because the students from St Kitts and Nevis are famous for performing captivating, lively, and engaging masquerade and clown performances.
Ambassador Francis added that everyone who witnessed the cultural performances were left captivated and it is a prideful moment for them when the students show unique, cultural expressions on a variety of stages across Taiwan.
Plaque of appreciation to Ambassador Francis
Ambassador Francis was presented with an appreciation plaque for continuous participation in this annual event by the Taiwan Tourism Administration Deputy Director General, Dr Hsin-Jen Lin.
During the ceremony, Wen Chuan Huang (Lantern Teacher) was also presented with a gift to appreciate his commitment to capture the essence of St Kitts and Nevis when making the lanterns for the Embassy over the years.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
