Taiwan Church News
3329 Edition
December 14 – 20, 2015
Church Ministry News
Wanchin Basilica Celebrates Christmas In A 3D Mapping Projection Of Biblical Stories And Local Cultures
Reported by Chen Yi-fan
In the evening on December 10, the Catholic Church of Wanchin, which was located 60 km south of Kaohsiung and established in 1861, celebrated Christmas in an innovative 3D mapping projection of biblical stories and local cultures. In the hymnal singing by the church chorus, Mr. Pang Meng-an – Pingtung County Magistrate – and Father Hsu Chin-hsien jointly lighted up the major lantern of the 2015 Christmas Lantern Festival at Wanchin Basilica.
Wanchin vilage, together with the neighboring Red Mountain village, is the historical starting point of Taiwan Catholic Church’s evangelical mission. Up to now, Catholics believers account for 70% of the local inhabitants. Decorated with 154 stars, symbolizing 154 years of the Catholic mission in Taiwan, the major lantern of 2015 Christmas Lantern Festival based its design on the idea of 12 Archangels protecting people from the above heavens.
In this fantastic 3D mapping projection, not only biblical stories were illuminated, like the Genesis’ creation story, Moses led the Israelite through the Red Sea or the Nativity of Jesus; local cultural elements, like black tuna fish season, mango harvest, wild ginger gathering, Hakka firecrackers festival and the aboriginal harvest rituals, were also integrated to present the diversity and abundance of the Christmas season of peace.
Translated by Peter Wolfe
Biblical stories and local cultural elements were illuminated in a 3D mapping projection at the 2015 Christmas Lantern Season at Pingtung County’s Wanchin Basilica.
Photo by Chen Yi-fan
