我們生活在週期性的時空轉換中，日復一日、年復一年，工作、求學從事各種活動。依序變化的歲時節慶，為我們規律的日常帶來各種新鮮、欣喜的感受，豐富絢麗我們的生活。節慶的形成是各種複雜文化因素互動的結果，也是各地淘洗、沉澱出的獨特文化。 今年歲次戊戌，生肖屬狗，本次開春特展將以狗年為引，為大家介紹一系列年節喜慶活動。同時，為了與嘉義縣舉辦的年度盛事「臺灣燈會」相互輝映，本院精選與狗年新春、元宵及吉慶主題相關的文物，於南部院區展出「戊戌狗年‧喜迎上元－南院年度特展」，以饗觀眾。內容包含歲朝布置、上元提燈、吉話家常等，帶領觀眾一同進入古代的迎歲風俗，認識美好豐富的吉祥圖像。與此同時，北部院區亦舉辦「燈輝綺節－花燈節慶圖特展」，與觀眾一起仝賀佳節。 本展共分四單元：第一單元「狗年呈祥」擘畫展出清代宮廷畫家郎世寧（Giuseppe Castiglione，1688-1766）〈十駿犬〉系列作品，幅幅皆以精細生動的筆觸、逼真描繪進獻清宮的名犬形象。第二單元「歲朝迎春」介紹各類宮廷年節相關文物。第三單元「歡慶元宵」則透過作品呈現古人張燈結綵、歡度上元佳節的情景。第四單元「福壽吉祥」精選富含吉慶象徵的文物，期望能營造歡欣洋溢的節日氣氛，帶給觀眾美好的體驗。
Our lives revolve around the cycles of time in nature. Day after day, year after year, everything in life, including work and study, is guided by this idea. And festivals are the recurring events that break up the passage of time, adding a refreshing and joyful touch to the regularity of daily life and filling it with beauty and richness. Festivals developed from the interaction of various complex cultural factors, filtering and crystallizing the uniqueness of a particular culture. The year 2018 corresponds to “wuxu” in the traditional sixty-year cycle of the Chinese calendar. It is also the Year of the Dog according to the Chinese zodiac, a cycle of twelve years represented by twelve animals. This special exhibition starts with an introduction to the Year of the Dog and presents a series of joyous festivities for the Chinese New Year celebrations. At the same time, to complement the Taiwan Lantern Festival being held in Chiayi County this year, the National Palace Museum Southern Branch has selected a range of objects from the collection to celebrate not only the Year of the Dog but the Lantern Festival and good fortune in general. The result is “Celebrating the Year of the Dog: A Special Exhibition of Lantern Festival Themed Collections,” presenting a feast for the eyes at the National Palace Museum Southern Branch. The contents include New Year’s decorations, the Lantern Festival, and lucky expressions from daily life, taking audiences back to the way Chinese welcomed the New Year in the old days and allowing them to understand the full beauty of auspicious images. Also being held is “Celebrations Lighting Up the Night: A Special Exhibition of Paintings on the Lantern Festival” at the Museum’s Northern Branch, bringing New Year celebrations to everyone north and south. This special exhibit at the Southern Branch is divided into four sections, the first being “Good Fortune in the Year of the Dog,” which highlights a series of “Ten Fine Hounds” painted by the Italian artist Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766) at the Qing dynasty court. Each work is meticulous and lifelike with delicate strokes of ink and color to depict prized dogs offered as tribute to the Qing court. The second section is entitled “Greeting the New Year” and introduces court artifacts related to the New Year celebrations. The third is on “Celebrating the Lantern Festival” with artworks to illustrate the colorful decorations and lanterns used by the Chinese in the past to enjoy the Lantern Festival. The fourth section is on “Auspicious Signs, Good Fortune and Long Life,” featuring a rich selection of artifacts symbolizing auspiciousness. It is hoped this display will foster and illuminate an atmosphere brimming with joy to give everyone a beautiful and festive experience.