On the afternoon of February 15, 2025, the Northern California Taiwanese Association hosted the 15th Lantern Festival Gala at the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center in Northern California. The event attracted over a thousand participants, creating a grand and lively atmosphere.
The event was rich in content and featured several distinguished guests, including Deputy Consul General of San Francisco Zhu Yongchang, Director of the Overseas Chinese Education Center Zhuang Yashu, Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioner Li Hanwen, former Mayor of Fremont Lily May, Santa Clara County Council Member Otto Lee, School District Representative Stanley Moore, Founder of the Cultural and Sports Association Anita Hong, and a representative of Congressman Sam Liccardo, Justin. Community leaders, overseas Chinese representatives, and local political figures gathered to show their enthusiastic support for the event.
Former President of the Northern California Taiwanese Association Dr. Joe Chou served as the MC for the event, while the current President Justin Chen expressed gratitude to all participants during the opening speech, emphasizing that the Lantern Festival Gala has become a major annual event in the South Bay area, promoting and preserving Taiwan’s traditional culture.
Deputy Consul General Zhu Yongchang extended New Year greetings and highlighted the significance of such events in awakening childhood memories in adults and introducing traditional culture to children. He thanked the association for their hard work in organizing the event and wished for its success, providing a festive Chinese New Year for all guests.
Director of the Overseas Chinese Education Center Zhuang Yashu mentioned that the Lantern Festival not only celebrates the traditional holiday but also serves as an opportunity to promote community exchanges and interactions. She hoped that through this event, community members could deepen their understanding of Taiwanese culture and establish closer cultural ties with mainstream society.
Key members of the Overseas Chinese Education Commission also conveyed holiday wishes through a video message. Guests such as Lily May delivered speeches congratulating the Lunar New Year and the association presented certificates of appreciation to numerous distinguished guests and performance groups to acknowledge their support and contributions.
In addition to traditional lantern displays, lion dances, and performances, this year’s event featured a children’s lantern fashion show, multiple food stalls, interactive games for families, and Chinese medicine consultations, catering to the needs of various age groups. President Justin Chen mentioned in an interview with Dajiyuan that they plan to continue organizing lectures and community activities in the future to deepen member connections and further promote cultural exchanges.
The Lantern Festival Gala was a cultural feast filled with dazzling performances, traditional cuisine, and heartwarming interactions. Community members gathered together to share the joy of the festival, and the event came to a successful conclusion amidst laughter and happiness.