A: It’s the Dragon Boat Festival long weekend, and the “north-south zongzi war” has begun again.
B: I prefer the southern-style zongzi, which are boiled in water. This gives the rice a milder flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
A: I prefer the northern-style zongzi, whose rice and fillings are stir-fried before being steamed. This gives them a stronger flavor.
PHOTO: EDDY CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES 照片︰台北時報張聖恩
B: And there are also some special-flavored zongzi this year: salmon, mango and even latte zongzi. There really is a dazzling array.
A: Let’s try the new flavors then!
A︰端午連假到了，大家又要戰南、北粽啦。
B︰我喜歡水煮的南部粽，米飯味道清淡，不搶餡料鋒頭。
A︰我喜歡蒸熟的北部粽，米飯和餡料要先炒過，口味也比較重。
B︰今年也有不少特殊口味的粽子︰鮭魚粽、芒果粽、拿鐵粽，令人眼花繚亂。
A︰那我們就來挑戰一下新口味吧！
（By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩)
A: When is the Lantern Festival? B: The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on Feb. 12 this year. A: Oh no! Did I miss the 2025 Taipei Lantern Festival? B: Yes, you did. But you can still go to the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which will run until this Sunday. A: Let’s go admire the exuberant lanterns. A: 元宵節到底是哪一天？ B: 就是農曆1月15日啊，今年則落在國曆2月12日。 A: 喔不，我是不是錯過了2025台北燈節？ B: 是的，但你還可以去桃園的2025台灣燈會，活動將持續至週日。 A: 那我們去欣賞豐富的花燈秀吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Every February, the small town of Ptuj in Slovenia comes alive with the vibrant celebration of its famous carnival. This festival, with its deep historical roots, is a cherished tradition where local residents come together to ward off the winter cold and embrace the arrival of spring. Participants dress up in furry costumes, transforming into kurenti, mythical monsters believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune for the new year. Although the exact origins of the Ptuj carnival remain a mystery, it is firmly rooted in ancient Slavic and Illyrian cultures. The modern form of the carnival
A: What’s the theme of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival’s main lantern? B: The theme is “Paradise,” and the main lantern is a snake-shaped “infinity” symbol that features a lighting show every half an hour. A: Cool, I heard that there are over 300 lanterns. B: There are even giant lanterns in the shape of Pikachu and some other popular Pokemon characters. A: Let’s go now. A: 2025台灣燈會主燈的主題是什麼？ B: 主題是「無限樂園」！主燈的造型則是蛇形的數學「無限號」，主燈每半小時還有一次燈光秀。 A: 酷喔，聽說總共有300多件花燈作品。 B: 甚至還有皮卡丘和其他熱門寶可夢角色的巨型花燈呢。 A: 哇我們現在就出發吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
本文由生成式AI協作，本刊編輯編修。 Tucked away in southwestern Taiwan, Yunlin County is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, rich history, and natural beauty. From its stunning temples and glove puppetry to historical architecture and picturesque landscapes, Yunlin rewards those who venture off the beaten path. Yunlin is renowned for its flourishing temple culture. Temples in this region are not merely places of worship but also communal centers where people gather for festivals, rituals, and social functions. One of the most notable temples here is the Beigang Chaotian Temple, which was built more than 300 years ago and is dedicated to Matsu, the sea
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