[Report from Puli, Nantou by Ye Ruiqi] The 2017 Qingjing Torch Festival will take place over two consecutive evenings on October 27 (Friday) and 28 (Saturday) at Qingjing Elementary School. The event is hosted by Ren'ai Township Office and co-organized by the Qingjing Community Development Association, Qingjing Tourism Association, and the Nantou County Yunnan Fellow-Townsmen Association.

Since its inception in 2007, the Qingjing Torch Festival has been held continuously for eleven years as of 2017. Its origins trace back even further to the "Qingjing Summer: Yunnan Bai Culture Festival" first held in 2001, and can be linked to traditional cultural activities of ethnic minorities in Yunnan before 1949.

Li Kezhi, Chairman of the Nantou County Yunnan Fellow-Townsmen Association, explained that the Torch Festival is a traditional holiday originating from southwestern ethnic minorities in mainland China, such as the Yi, Hani, Bai, Naxi, Jino, and Lahu peoples. It is primarily associated with the Yi people, who view it as their New Year, also known as the "Star Return Festival" or "Eastern Carnival." The "Qingjing Torch Festival" brought to Taiwan in 1961 by Yunnan compatriots who settled in Qingjing along the Burma-China border carries the main meaning of "passing on the torch." In addition to residents holding torches to pray for a good harvest, ward off evil, and seek good fortune, symbolizing tribal unity, it also aims to continue the spirit of perseverance of isolated troops in a foreign land. By integrating the culture of Ren'ai Township's indigenous peoples and the new immigrants from Helan Mountain, it creates a harmonious and beautiful new hometown in Taiwan amidst the misty paradise of Qingjing.

Over the two-day event, the first day (27th) is "Yunnan Night," featuring traditional ethnic dances, torch welcome ceremonies, and the Qingjing Market (exhibition and sale of handicrafts and local specialties), continuing past traditions. Fellow-townsmen groups from Taipei, Taoyuan, Pingtung, and other parts of Taiwan will join in, bringing exciting Yunnan dance performances and songs and dances from ethnic minorities in the Yunnan-Burma border region. The second day (28th) is "Homeland Night," featuring more performances by local indigenous peoples of Ren'ai Township. Everyone is welcome to attend for free!

Notably this year, the "Yunnan Cross-Strait Exchange Association" plans to lead approximately 30 members from three artistic and cultural groups, including the "Yunnan Province Hulusi and Bau Society," to visit Taiwan for cultural exchange. They will present exquisite ethnic music performances for two consecutive days, which is highly anticipated!

The host, Ren'ai Township Office, stated that the Qingjing Torch Festival is traditionally held on Friday evenings. Visitors are encouraged to start their trips a day early during their two-day weekend. This allows them to enjoy discounted rates at Qingjing's top-tier high-altitude quality guesthouses, experience the newly opened "Qingjing High-Altitude Scenic Trail," and after attending the torch festival evening party, visit Qingqing Grassland the next day to watch the "Holiday Exclusive" New Zealand Sheep Show and equestrian performances at Guanshan Pastoral Area.

For detailed event information, please visit the "Qingjing Torch Festival Official Website http://torch.cja.org.tw" or the "Qingjing Tourism Information Network http://www.cingjing.com.tw". (2017.10.13)