Running Side By Side At The Foothills Of Dawu Mountain The Liugdui Games Special Exhibition Catalogue

Chief Editor: Hsieh Shih-yuan
Authors: Hsieh Shih-yuan and Wu Pu-hua
Publication Date: September 2021
Rooted in Liugdui’s traditions of militia organization, the region’s athletic culture was shaped during the Japanese colonial period. The spirit of sports and physical training has long been an integral part of everyday life in the Liugdui region. This enthusiasm laid the foundation for the creation of the Liugdui Games. In the early postwar years, overseas-trained youths such as Liu Shao-hsing (劉紹興) and Tai A-lin (戴阿麟), moved by the fading unity of Liugdui’s Hakka communities, established the Liugdui Patriotic Fellowship Association (六堆愛國聯誼會) and organized the first Liugdui Games (六堆運動會), marking the beginning of this enduring regional tradition.
In 2021, to coincide with the 300th anniversary of Liugdui and the 56th Liugdui Games, the Hakka Cultural Development Center launched a special exhibition titled Running Side by Side at the Foothills of Dawu Mountain: The Liugdui Games at the Liugdui Hakka Cultural Park. The exhibition explores the formation of Liugdui’s athletic culture, the organization and evolution of the Liugdui Games, and the significance of the Liugdui Zhongyi Shrine, while also featuring the experiences of athletes, coaches, referees, and organizing committee members, offering a multifaceted view of the Games and their deep connection to the Liugdui people.
This exhibition catalogue not only compiles the complete curatorial content but also includes extended readings and supplementary historical materials not displayed in the exhibition. Integrating research essays, archival documents, and interpretive guides, it provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the history and present vitality of the Liugdui Games, while inviting everyone to join in and celebrate this vibrant Hakka sporting tradition.