“April is the month of flowers, and May the snow,” a Hakka saying goes. This refers to the romantic white Tung blossoms found in Taiwan’s Hakka villages. The 2015 Hakka Tung Blossom Festival just kicked off in the New Era Art Resort & Spa on April 11 in Nantou. Family visitors have already been enjoying this spring feast throughout Taiwan. To further promote this event, the Hakka Affairs Council and the Hsinchu County Government held the “Discovering Tung Blossoms in Hsinchu” activity on the 18th at the Hexing Train Station in Neiwan. Minister of the Hakka Affairs Council Liu Ching-chung attended the event and invited all to spend a wonderful vacation in Hsinchu.
“Discovering Tung Blossoms in Hsinchu” is the first Tung blossom activity ever held by the HAC and the county government together. The opening ceremony was not only attended by minister Liu and vice county magistrate Hsu Kan-mei. Comic book artist Liu Hsing-chin also met the public in a station agent dress and with his book characters Grand Auntie and Robot. The minister especially thanked the county government for its effort and devotion in making Hakka culture shine.
Liu also thanked Hsinchu county magistrate Chiu Ching-Chun for promoting Hsinchu’s innovative technology and historic culture. “I admire him for doing the work.” Liu said the “snow of May” Tung flowers represent the beauty of nature, culture and Hakka people. “A total of 1,117 events are still to take place. I would like to invite all to visit the Hakka townships of Taiwan and immerse in the beautiful scenery and Hakka culture.”
After the “Discovering Hsinchu County” opening ceremony on April 18, a road run was held, followed by a music concert “A Spring Excursion of Tung Blossoms” by Evergreen Symphony, internationally renowned vocal artist Chien Wen-hsiu, and pop singers Jia Jia and Andrew Tan. Athletes from around the nation came to enjoy the beautiful scenery and music at once in Hsinchu County.
The festival is held annually by the HAC in spring to promote the landscape, culture, industry and performing art through tourism. The HAC has by now designed cultural and creative souvenirs and launched a Hakka certification system for restaurants and shops. Publicity events have been held at home and abroad. In doing so, the Hakka villages of Taiwan have enjoyed great economic growths. This year, more than 1,000 events will be held in the 14 Hakka townships by 112 local governments, private groups and schools. Together they call for all to join this grand occasion of a year. The 108 Tung blossom trails are not to be missed either. Those are where one can immerse in dancing white Tung petals.
For more information about the 2015 Hakka Tung Blossom Festival, please visit its website at http://tung.hakka.gov.tw/default.aspx?lang=1.
