文化創意園區的年味 / The Festive Vibes at the Cultural and Creative Park

今年是十二生肖的蛇年，所以，為了迎接蛇年的到來，文化創意園區特地以「蛇龍舞春，大過蛇年」為主題，舉辦一系列的新春活動，蛇在華人的社會又稱為小龍，認為它是龍的縮影，象徵著智慧、靈活與敏捷，古人甚至相信，蛇若能修煉千年，便能化為龍，而蛇龍舞春光表面的字義就很討喜，但是它的台語發音會是「什麼都有剩」，寓意豐盈富裕，也傳遞出園區對文化延續與繁榮的期待，果然是做文化的人，比我有學問多了。

不過，每年快到了農曆新年時，都是天氣最嚴寒的時刻，有時候，天空還飄著綿綿細雨，讓人很不想出門，但是，因為即將要過年的喜悅的心情，會讓人撥散陰霾，一定要出門逛逛，此外，因為學生們已經放寒假了，所以，到處可以見到呼朋引伴的年輕人，到處走走逛逛，發現，園區內的人還不少。

只要看到在園區製菸工廠大門的四大門神的年畫，就知道農曆新年即將到來，而到處懸掛的春聯，也訴說的對來年的祝福，而在園區內的消防栓箱也有蛇年主題的裝飾，看起來還蠻特別的，後來我才知道，在園區內的16處消防栓箱蒐集蓋章，就可以到服務中心，兌換福氣小吊飾，不過，對我而言，經過時順便集章，還可以，假如要特地找齊16處消防栓箱集章，我就不是那麼有動力，簡單來說，我就是懶得收集。

而週末才有的露天市集，也開始販賣年節期間限定的商品，如紅包袋、春聯、福字掛飾、蛇年擺飾等，而室內的店家，也開始販售蛇年特選商品，像是應景的造型餅乾、金幣巧克力、十二生肖餅乾、春節限定口味咖啡等，其實，我覺得很多文創商品都是噱頭，賣的是一份感覺，但是過年了，討喜就好，就不會計較那麼多了，希望來年能夠好運連連、健康滿滿。

As the Year of the Snake approaches, the Cultural and Creative Park is hosting a series of Lunar New Year events under the theme "Snake Dragon Welcomes Spring, A Grand Snake Year Awaits." In Chinese culture, the snake is often called the "little dragon" and is seen as a miniature version of a dragon, symbolizing wisdom, agility, and flexibility. Ancient beliefs even say that if a snake cultivates for a thousand years, it can transform into a dragon. The phrase "Snake Dragon Welcomes Spring" sounds festive on the surface, but in Taiwanese Hokkien, it also sounds like "everything is in abundance," which carries the meaning of prosperity and plenty. This reflects the park’s hope for cultural continuity and growth. I have to admit, people working in cultural fields really know how to come up with these meaningful ideas—way smarter than me.

That being said, every year as Lunar New Year gets closer, the weather becomes freezing cold. Sometimes, there’s even a light drizzle, making people reluctant to go out. But the excitement of the upcoming holiday helps push away the gloom, and you just have to go out and soak in the festive atmosphere. Plus, students are already on winter break, so you can see groups of young people hanging out everywhere. The park is actually quite crowded.

The sight of the New Year guardian paintings on the entrance of the old tobacco factory is a clear sign that Lunar New Year is around the corner. Red couplets hanging everywhere express good wishes for the coming year. Even the fire hydrant boxes in the park are decorated with Snake Year-themed artwork, which I found pretty interesting. Later, I learned that if you collect stamps from all 16 fire hydrant boxes in the park, you can redeem a lucky charm keychain at the service center. Personally, I don’t mind collecting a few stamps when I pass by, but hunting down all 16 locations just for a reward? Nope, I’m way too lazy for that.

The outdoor weekend market has also started selling Lunar New Year limited-edition items, like red envelopes, couplets, lucky character ("福") decorations, and Snake Year ornaments. Meanwhile, the indoor stores are offering Snake Year special items, such as festive-themed cookies, gold coin chocolates, zodiac-shaped biscuits, and Lunar New Year-exclusive coffee flavors. Honestly, I think a lot of these cultural-creative products are just about the hype—what they’re really selling is a feeling. But hey, it’s the New Year! As long as it’s festive and fun, that’s all that matters. Hopefully, the coming year brings lots of luck and good health!

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