Chinese New Year is right around the corner. The Chinese New Year Street Bazaar, one of Taipei’s most popular Chinese New Year celebrations, kicks off today. 2009 Taipei Summer Deaflympics and 2010 Taipei Horticulture Fair join the crowd to wish good fortunes in the coming Year of the Rat and invite attention to Taipei’s two signature international events in 2009 and 2010.

Decorating the door with spring couplets and giving red envelopes to elders and children are two Chinese New Year traditions. The Foundation of the 21st Summer Deaflympics Organising Committee (TDOC) thoughtfully prepares both for people to pick up when shopping for the New Year in the Chinese New Year Street Bazaar.  Cleverly incorporating the Chinese characters of 2009 Taipei Summer Deaflymipcs (Ting Zhang Au Yun), the spring couplets read “Ting Wen Shu Lai Zhang Ai Chu” (Heard the rats, gone the troubles) on the right, “Au Shi Qun Xueng Yun Lai Dao” (People admire, fortunes arrive) on the left; and the top couplet, echoing the slogan of Taipei City Government, says “Taipei, fun and wonderful.”      

The Sky Frog, of course, would not miss the chance to meet people. He poses on the red envelopes, wearing a new costume, another Chinese New Year custom, to congratulate the arrival of a new year and bring fortunes to everyone.