December 30th 2024.
Harry Li never could have imagined the impact his online event would have. What started as a lighthearted joke to celebrate New Year's Eve has now become the talk of the town. Instead of the usual festivities like fireworks and parties, some in Taiwan are joining the 22-year-old university student in an unconventional way - by crying.
It all began in 2023, when Li jokingly called for people to gather at Taipei's Da'an Forest Park to weep for half an hour on New Year's Eve. This idea was inspired by a scene from the popular Taiwanese film "Vive L'Amour," which won the top prize at the Venice International Film Festival in 1994. The movie depicts the struggles of three young city dwellers in Taipei during the fast-paced changes of the 1990s.
To Li's surprise, his Facebook post gained a lot of attention, with nearly 16,000 people expressing interest in attending. On New Year's Eve, hundreds of people showed up at the park, turning the event into a colorful and lively gathering. This year, with over 33,000 people already expressing interest, Li is hosting the event again. The Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute will also be joining in by hosting an outdoor screening of "Vive L'Amour" with the original cast in attendance.
CNN Travel spoke with several people who attended the event in 2023. They described the atmosphere as carefree, egalitarian, and spontaneous. People shared food and drinks, danced, sang, and blew off steam. Some even took selfies with crying faces. The event provided a space for emotional release, as one attendee, Aster Chang, shared on Facebook that she cried for half an hour and used up a pack of tissues to let go of all the negative experiences she had that year.
Chen Chu-yuan, a 27-year-old wine salesperson, also found the event to be a meaningful experience. He shed tears as he thought of a friend who had passed away unexpectedly. He noted that the environment at the event was supportive and non-judgmental, with people comforting each other instead of pointing fingers.
Li was amazed to see people opening up and sharing their stories that night. He said that everyone had a great time drinking, talking, and bonding. This is why Chen plans to attend again this year, as he felt a strong connection with strangers coming together to celebrate New Year's Eve.
The cry-a-thon event became popular because of its spontaneity, creativity, and quirkiness. But what resonated with many attendees was the underlying message that it is okay not to be okay, even on a festive day like New Year's Eve. In Taiwan, as in many other places, people tend to celebrate with loved ones, but this can be tough for those who feel down or lonely, especially with the constant comparison on social media.
Kang Ting-yu, an associate professor specializing in gender and media studies, explained that social media can contribute to negative emotions like jealousy and comparison with others. This is why the cry-a-thon event has struck a chord with so many, as it affirms that there is no one right way to live or express emotions. Li also shared a similar sentiment, saying that it is okay to feel sad on New Year's Eve, and people should not feel pressured to be happy on that day.
Mental health has received increased attention globally, and Taiwan is no exception. Studies have shown that between 2010 and 2020, one in every four people between 30 and 45 displayed signs of depression or anxiety, the highest prevalence among other age groups. In response, Taiwan launched a free counseling program for those aged between 15 and 30, and it has since been expanded to support those between 31 and 45. President Lai Ching-te has also emphasized the importance of investing in mental health to safeguard overall well-being.
Chang Shu-sen, a suicide prevention and mental health researcher, believes that the cry-a-thon event reflects Taiwan's increasing focus on mental health, which is a positive development. He also stressed the need for concrete ways for people to seek help and support each other.
For Li, he is happy that his fun social media post had an unintended effect of helping others. He hopes that those who came to the park to cry last year will not need to do so again this year and instead enjoy a happy New Year's Eve.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
