2026 CTLF Moomin On: A Luminous Village of Wishes

Built around the “Happy Village” theme, the 2026 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival reimagines the unique cultures of Taichung’s four regions, “Townships, Coast, Mountains, and Urban Centers,” through an immersive lightscape experience, forming a space for happiness that seamlessly blends nature with urban living. The exhibition showcases a microcosm of the city built around four themed lightscapes: “Glistening Shadows of Rice” depicts golden fields symbolizing agricultural heritage; “Radiant Dolphin in the Azure Ocean” uses fluid white dolphin forms to express the thriving vitality of the ocean; “Bountiful Harvest of a Vibrant Orchard” turns mountain produce into a colorful orchard celebrating local identity; and “Boba Clouds & Gourmet Night Market” combines bubble milk tea motifs with neon night-market visuals to reflect the charm of city nightlife. Told through a narrative of light and shadow, the exhibition weaves together nature and humanity. As visitors wander through the displays, they immerse themselves in Taichung’s diverse and inclusive character, entrusting their aspirations for happiness to the glow of the lights.
Guided by the concept “Epitome of the City: Every Exhibition Tells a Story,” the festival integrates spatial zoning and circulation design to present Taichung’s “Townships, Coast, Mountains, and Urban Centers” as a sensory lightscape, creating a cohesive cultural narrative that spans land, sea, mountain forests, and urban life. The design incorporates a sustainable strategy by using low-energy LED lamps and zoning light control systems to reduce overall energy consumption. Structurally, it employs a modular design and reusable materials, combined with green procurement principles, to enhance the feasibility of reusing and archiving the lighting fixtures after the exhibition. Aligned with the UN SDGs, the festival highlights SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) to convey the importance of harmony between humanity and nature through visual storytelling. The project brings together public art, urban identity, and sustainable design, elevating the lantern festival from a festive event to a culturally engaging and eco-conscious urban platform.