In Taiwan, people cry together to mark New Year’s Eve

In an unconventional New Year’s tradition, some Taiwanese gather to reflect on and mourn personal loss they endured throughout the year by participating in a communal crying event.

This unique event traces its origins to a 2023 Facebook post by 22-year-old Taiwanese university student Li. 

He invited people to Taipei’s Da’an Forest Park to shed tears together for half an hour on New Year’s Eve. Inspired by the classic Taiwanese film Vive L’Amour, which explored themes of loneliness and melancholy in urban life during Taiwan’s rapid modernisation, Li’s idea struck a chord.

The film, directed by Malaysian-born Taiwanese filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang, won the Golden Lion at the 1994 Venice International Film Festival. 

One of its most iconic scenes featured the female protagonist sitting on a bench in Da’an Forest Park, lighting a cigarette, and weeping silently for seven minutes.

Li’s post unexpectedly resonated with hundreds of people, who showed up at the park to participate in the crying event. “I never thought people would actually show up. I never thought it would go viral,” Li told CNN.

In 2024, interest in the event grew exponentially, with over 30,000 people expressing their desire to participate. 

To mark the 30th anniversary of Vive L’Amour, the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute announced the screening of the film at Da’an Forest Park, accompanied by its cast.

While many gather to cry, others mark the occasion by singing, dancing, or sitting quietly on park benches. 

The event also highlightd Taiwan’s growing mental health crisis. Over the past decade, one in four people aged 30 to 45 has reported experiencing depression and anxiety.

In response, Taiwan launched mental health counseling programs for individuals under 45 to address these challenges and promote emotional well-being.