Annual Taipei Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival changes to music festival potentially without fireworks

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• published: 06 Apr 2016
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Taipei City''s annual Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival, which is held on Chinese Valentine’s Day, has recently transitioned into a riverside music festival. Many fear the change will spell the end of the fireworks display. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je has already expressed his disdain for one-time activities such as fireworks while Taipei tourism officials say the final decision lies with the company winning the tender to host the event. Held over the past 11 years, the Taipei Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival will undertake a major transition this year as Taipei’s Department of Information and Tourism intends to change it into a series of music concerts which may not include a firework display. Nearby shops worry the change could be bad for business.Taipei’s Department of Information and Tourism stepped forward to clarify that fireworks will occur on one day, but activities associated with the music festival will stretch over two months creating many opportunities to promote local business.Chien Yu-yen Taipei Tourism Commissioner Local businesses often tell us if the event lasts one day, they don’t have customers the next day. So we decided to stretch out the event over a longer period of time. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je has previously said that he dislikes one-time events. Some speculate that this is the reason the fireworks show may be canceled.Chien Yu-yen Taipei Tourism Commissioner We would have cancelled the fireworks show last year if we are subject to the mayor’s personal taste.In the bidding process those submitting tender offers can include a fireworks show. It is part of the long term tradition of this event. Taipei tourism office said that this year’s event will be more diverse than years past. It added that ultimately the decision to have a fireworks display will be up to the company winning the tender offer. The city didn’t put any such restrictions on how the event should be held.