The Year of the Pig kicks off tomorrow (February 5), and many Lunar New Year celebrations and events will be taking place around the city.

In honour of the lunar holiday this year, the 2019 LunarFest has introduced Coastal Lunar Lanterns at Jack Poole Plaza (1055 Canada Place). The colourful installation showcases local and international Indigenous artwork, which is illuminated nightly through February 19.

Presented by the Asian-Canadian Special Events Association, the lanterns are created by Taiwan’s Yi Lun Yao, and feature designs by Indigenous artists from Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh, as well as Taiwan’s Atayal tribe.

Each lantern tells a story inspired by the artist’s ancestral lands and traditions—visitors will find vibrant designs that include beautiful landscapes, animals, and patterns.

The featured artists include Cory Douglas from Squamish, Thomas Cannell of the Musqueam, Zachary Skokaylem George of the Tsleil-Waututh, and Miru Hayung from the Zihing tribe from Atayal in Taiwan.

“In addition to the three local artists, we have invited an indigenous artist from Taiwan to design a lantern,” Charlie Wu, managing director of ACSEA, said in a press statement. “Ultimately, Vancouver’s Lunar New Year should be beyond Asian heritage, and that’s the essence of a great Vancouver Lunar New Year story.”

The 2019 LunarFest takes place around the city through February 19. For more information, click here.