Saint Kitts and Nevis’ lanterns shine brightly at Lantern Festivals in Taiwan

Featuring the Nevis Museum of History and Alexander Hamilton’s birthplace, alongside two youths playing the steel pan, the Saint Kitts and Nevis Lantern attracted huge crowds in the Shilin district of Taipei as the Taipei Lantern festival resumed after a hiatus of one year due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Delivering remarks at the opening ceremony press conference, H. E. Jasmine Huggins, the Federation’s Ambassador to Taiwan explained that her goal was to introduce visitors to the history and culture of Saint Kitts and Nevis through the colorful, fun and family-friendly event. “It is also our hope that increased knowledge of our twin island paradise will result in increased visits to our country” the Ambassador stated. Saint Kitts and Nevis was also invited to participate in the Taiwan Lantern Festival which is a national event and which attracts millions of people over the course of the week of the festival which spans one week. Ambassador Huggins explained that the Saint Kitts and Nevis National Museum (formerly the Old Treasury Building) is depicted alongside figures from our folklore namely, the moco jumbles, clowns, bull and masquerades. The colorful display won plaudits from all those who viewed the lantern with many persons asking questions about the culture and expressing their desire to visit the Federation. Performing near the Taipei lantern Saint Kitts and Nevis student Jacinth Hunkins wowed visitors with her skills on the steel pan while Kevrone Phipps dressed in a clown costume kept the audience entertained with energetic moves, much to the delight of visitors to the event. The Lantern Festivals are annual events held in large cities around Taiwan. These spectacular Festivals begin on the 15th day of the Lunar Calendar month and continue for one week.