2026 Cross-Strait (Kunshan) Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival Opens... Providing a Venue for Cultural Exchange

The ‘2026 Cross-Strait (Kunshan) Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival’ opened on September 16 in Kunshan, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. This event consists of diverse programs, including art exhibitions, traditional performances, and moonlight cultural gatherings, centered around major hubs such as Huiju Square and Zhouzhuang.

At the opening ceremony, awards were presented to the winners of the youth lantern design competition, and the micro-drama "Across the Sea" was revealed for the first time. This work, which tells a true story of bringing the remains of a veteran back to their hometown, carries symbolic meaning by emphasizing the cultural bond between residents of both sides of the Strait. As Kunshan is an area where investment from Taiwanese companies is concentrated, this festival serves as a bridge connecting economy and culture beyond a simple traditional event.

This year's festival is characterized by the modern reinterpretation of traditional crafts using AI technology and multimedia installations. The closing ceremony of the ‘Cross-Strait Youth Culture Month,’ which lasted for two months starting last July, was also held in connection with this festival, with approximately 3,500 Taiwanese youths participating to broaden the scope of exchange.