台湾庙会极具北京特色
During the Spring Festival, the temple fair is one of the most important cultural events, featuring all kinds of Chinese folk art. The one held at Ditan Park is one of the most famous in Beijing. And that fair has recently visited Taipei, bringing specialities from the Chinese capital across the strait.
The temple fair has created a mouthwatering buzz. All kinds of food from Beijing is soon sold out as visitors are eager to give the new tastes a try.
"I’ve never tasted it but I’ve heard of it, on TV and in movies," a visitor said.
"It feels like some snack from Taiwan, very similar. But it contains more ingredients and more sauce, which tastes different," another visitor said.
While younger generations are trying the food out of curiosity, the older ones are enjoying the taste of nostalgia.
"The original dough ball soup is more spicy and has caraway and more sauce. But my health condition doesn’t allow me to eat things that spicy. However, it brings back memories. I came to Taiwan from Beijing in 1944 and this reminds me a lot of my home there," one visitor said.
But at this temple fair it’s not just the food, as artworks from home are also at hand.
"Making Silk figurines is a traditional craft in Beijing, dating back at least to the Tang Dynasty. It is listed as an intangible cultural heritage," said Hua Shulin, silk figurine artist.
The Temple fair at Beijing’s Ditan Park has a history of 28 years. This time it will showcase its diverse and vibrant arts and culture for ten days in Taipei.
