Activity Outcome
THCDC holds ‘Hakka Coming-of-Age Ceremony’ for 15 schools
- Source:客家文化發展中心
- Publication Date:2025/07/01
- Last updated:2025/07/01
- Count Views:13
The Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center (THCDC) of the Hakka Affairs Council held the “Hakka Coming-of-Age Ceremony” at Taiwan Hakka Museum in Miaoli County on June 11, gathering a total of 511 graduates from 15 elementary schools across Taiwan. This year’s ceremony centered around the themes of “Gratitude Tea Offering,” “Encouragement to be Resilient,” and “Time Mailbox,” embodying the Hakka spirit and accompanying the youth through an important turning point in their lives.
The event was attended by Miaoli County Culture and Tourism Bureau vice director Hsu Chien-nan (徐建男), Hsinchu County Xinfeng Township Mayor Hsu Wei-chieh (徐煒傑), Miaoli County Dahu Township Mayor Huang Hui-chin (黃惠琴), Gongguan Township Mayor He Tsai-hsin (何在鑫), and other distinguished guests.
During the event, graduates wrote letters to their future selves and placed them in the “Time Mailbox,” with THCDC Director-General Ho Chin-liang (何金樑) and other guests participating in the sealing ceremony. Symbolizing the students’ hopes and courage, the letters will be opened when they return to the museum three years later.
Following the ceremony, nearly 600 teachers and students joined in singing the event’s theme song, “Marching Forward (大步向前行).” The heartfelt performance moved some participants to tears. Notably, Indigenous students from Nanjuang Elementary School in Miaoli County joined the event for the first time and experienced a Hakka-style coming-of-age ceremony, showcasing cross-cultural integration.
Director-General Ho remarked that the ceremony, held annually for over ten years, has involved more than 4,000 students to date. He acknowledged the efforts of school principals, teachers, and parents in planning and coordinating the event to ensure the students have a meaningful experience. He emphasized that the event is a result of cross-regional collaboration, allowing students to express their respect and gratitude to teachers and parents, strengthen bonds, and help pass on Hakka culture for continued development.
At the conclusion of the event, the graduates moved to the outdoor area of the museum to present performances. They then threw paper planes—symbols of their dreams—into the sky. In the presence of teachers, parents, and distinguished guests, they embarked on a journey to pursue those dreams.
The THCDC expressed its gratitude for the support of the following organizations: the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior’s National Park Service; the Taichung Branch of the Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture; the Tri-mountain National Scenic Area Headquarters of the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications; the Miaoli District Agricultural Research and Extension Station of the Ministry of Agriculture; CPC Corporation Taiwan Exploration and Production Division; Miaoli County Government; National United University; and Taiyen Biotech Co., Ltd. Tongxiao Refinery.
The THCDC will organize a cycling tour at the Taiwan Hakka Museum from June 28 to 30 and a Hakka summer camp in July. For more information, visit the THCDC official website and Taiwan Hakka Museum Facebook page.
