Radio Taiwan International 
Date: 20 March, 2019
By: John Van Trieste

Master craftsman Hsiao Tsai-kan at work

Illuminated lanterns are an important part of Taiwan’s culture. They’re displayed at temple events, during the Lunar New Year, and of course, on the day of the Lantern Festival.

These lanterns are dazzling creations, shaped like animals, mythical creatures, and cartoon characters. But these days, it’s hard to find lanterns like these that are completely made by hand. One place you can still find them is in a Hsinchu workshop run by a real living national treasure.

Craftsman Hsiao Tsai-kan remembers a time when elaborate, hand-made lantern displays were a part of ordinary life. Many occasions called for them, and many people knew how to make them.

Those days are now gone. Illuminated lanterns are still popular, but the art of making them by hand is disappearing.    [FULL  STORY]