Giant ducks return to Kaohsiung after a decade

Following its visit in Hong Kong last summer, the iconic yellow rubber duck, created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, is making a comeback along with a new friend in Kaohsiung, Taiwan after a decade.

From 27 January 2024 to 25 February 2024, the two large yellow rubber ducks will be floating on the right and left banks of Love River Bay (愛河灣) in Kaohsiung. This coincides with the 2024 Kaohsiung Wonderland (冬日遊樂園), where the city is hosting a market bazaar and winter wonderland events combined with the return of the yellow rubber duck.

In celebration of Valentine's Day, the Kaohsiung city government organised a tour for the two ducks, making stops at various locations and circling the harbor. Their journey concluded at the Kaohsiung Music Centre (高雄流行音樂中心), aiming to create a romantic and unforgettable experience for couples.

Hofman said during the event ceremony, that he was surprised at how the entire bay area had changed over the years. "I thought it was very important after the pandemic to have this strong belief that whatever happens, we stick together and be together, so that is why there are two today," Hofman said.

Taiwan's mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) thanked Hofman for bringing the two ducks to the city and said he believed Kaohsiung would continue to progress over the next decade.

The rubber duck exhibition is a series of several giant floating sculptures of yellow rubber ducks, which have appeared in many cities around the world such as Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Osaka and Sydney.

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Hofman’s yellow duck made its first visit in Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, and Keelung in 2013, which became a popular attraction in Taiwan. In Kaohsiung, the sculpture attracted around 3.9 million visitors in one month, according to the Kaohsiung city government.

Across the river, the giant duck made its return to Hong Kong after a decade, along with a new friend. The "DOUBLE DUCKS by Florentijn Hofman” project was open to the public starting from 10 June 2023 for 10 days.

On the opening day of the exhibition, the organiser deflated one of the duo as a routine check found its surface was overstretched due to the hot weather and rising air pressure. 

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