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Welcoming Spring with Joy - 2024 Liugdui Spring Festival Activities and ‘Searching for Clothes - Dialogues between Liudui Indigenous Peoples and Hakka Clothing Patterns’ exhibition opening
- Source:客家文化發展中心
- Publication Date:2024/03/15
- Last updated:2024/03/15
- Count Views:113
The Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center of the Hakka Affairs Council has organized a series of events to celebrate the Spring Festival, scheduled to take place from the first day to the fifth day of the first lunar month, from Feb. 10 to Feb. 14. This initiative aims to provide the public with an opportunity to experience the unique Hakka customs of southern Taiwan during the auspicious Spring Festival period, with a total of nine events planned. One of the highlights is the "Searching for Clothes - Dialogues between Liugdui Indigenous Peoples and Hakka Clothing Patterns" exhibition, which commenced with a soft opening on Jan. 29.
The press conference was attended by various esteemed guests, including Hakka Affairs Council Deputy Minister Chou Chiang-chieh, Hakka Culture Development Center Director-General Ho Chin-liang, Indigenous legislator Sasuyu Ruljuwan, Taiwan Historica Director Chang Hung-ming, Deputy Director-General Chien Ming-hsiung of the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center, Kaohsiung’s Commissioner of the Hakka Affairs Commission Yang Jui-hsia, Commissioner Wen Jia-zhen from the Department of Hakka Affairs in the Pingtung County Government, Chief Secretary Chen Hai-yun from the Commission of Indigenous Affairs in the Kaohsiung City Government, Chief Hsu Chu-lung of Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Headquarters under the Tourism Administration in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Chief Tian Yi-min of Pingtung Distillery of Taiwan Tobacco Liquor Corporation, Chief Tsai Li-fu of Kenting National Park Headquarters, Hakka Affairs Council honorary advisor Liu Yu-ling, preserver of the important traditional craft of Paiwan Tjemenun weaving, Ljumiang Pacekelj, Lin Kai-shyh of the Department of Anthropology at National Taiwan University, former Deputy Director of the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center Pu Jhong-yi, Chen Shu-Juo of the National Museum of Natural Science, Lin Wei-cheng of the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines, along with principals from 24 schools in the Kaohsiung and Pingtung areas and representatives of the indigenous community dressed in traditional attire. The press conference marked the beginning of the special exhibition and the Lunar New Year celebrations in Liugdui. Everyone is invited to visit the Liugdui Hakka Cultural Park during the Lunar New Year to experience the rich and diverse Hakka festivities.
Hakka Affairs Council Deputy Minister Chou Chiang-chieh expressed that the rich and diverse ethnic cultures are one of Taiwan's important features. He emphasized that the Hakka culture in Taiwan belongs not only to the Hakka people but to all Taiwanese, highlighting that this culture is nurtured and enriched through interactions among various ethnic groups. To help everyone understand the traits and historical connections of the Hakka community in Liugdui and nearby indigenous and plains tribes, during this Lunar New Year, alongside family-friendly Spring Festival activities and a collaboration with the National Palace Museum for the "Imaginary Taiwan—Evolving Taiwanese" exhibition, Liugdui Hakka Cultural Park has launched the special exhibition "Searching for Clothes - Dialogues between Liudui Indigenous Peoples and Hakka Clothing Patterns," which intricately showcases Hakka and indigenous cultures. Through showcasing clothing patterns, this exhibition presents the distinctive features of the Liugdui Hakka and their neighboring friends, including the Paiwan, Rukai, Makatao, and Dawu tribes, highlighting the diverse appearances resulting from interactive exchanges.
This exhibition brings together multiple institutions such as the Taiwan Historica, the Museum of the Institute of Ethnology at Academia Sinica, the National Taiwan Museum, the National Museum of Taiwan History, the Department of Anthropology at National Taiwan University, the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines, the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center, the Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center, the Hakka Affairs Council, and the Kaohsiung Museum of History. Additionally, it features 21 artisans and collectors, including master Paiwan weaver Ljumiang Pacekelj, the Jin Xing Hang Blue-shirt Shop, Blue-shirt Shop designer Wang Huei-ling, Rukai craftsman Peng Chun-lin, Lai Lichun, a Hakka woman who married into the Paiwan tribe, Makatao cultural revivalist Pan Jhih-jie, and Dawu embroidery artist Pan Yan-yu, showcasing their craftworks together. The Taiwan Historica presents for the first time the "Rukai Clouded Leopard Vest" and the "Paiwan Phoenix Sleeveless Shirt," both featuring clothing patterns that reflect the historical exchanges between the Hakka and indigenous peoples. Also, the Museum of the Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica, showcases the classic representation of the Paiwan’s long dress. Through preliminary field surveys along the County Highway 185 in Pingtung County, numerous stories of interaction between indigenous and Hakka communities have been uncovered, including butterfly patterns, early exchanges, adoptions, and intermarriages. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the exhibition.
Hakka Culture Development Center Director-General Ho Chin-liang stated that this year, being the Year of the Dragon, the Liugdui Hakka Cultural Park has curated a series of family-friendly Spring Festival activities themed around "Dragons." From Hakka art performances to cultural exhibits, handicraft workshops, and interactive experiences, visitors can immerse themselves in the dragon art installations throughout the park. Starting today, visitors who complete quests at the Visitor Service Center will receive limited edition red packets. During the Spring Festival, the park will host daily cultural performances featuring drum troupes, stilt walkers, acrobatics, dragon and lion dances, as well as captivating shows by renowned artists like the New San-geu-tai Band, Blue Shirts Music and Dance Troupe, and emerging talents Chiu Shu-chan, Li Yan-feng, and Austin Li. There will also be daily activities including the sale of limited edition "Spring Blessing Bags" and "Love Stamps," offering grand prizes for lucky participants. Visitors can also enjoy hands-on experiences such as plate stacking flowers, painting dragon heads, and decorating blue shirts, allowing everyone to experience the traditional Hakka DIY culture. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a Hakka rice cake taste testing experience while also practicing printing creative couplets and learning the Hakka language. Furthermore, the park will blend Lunar New Year festivities with Valentine's Day celebrations by hosting a special event titled "Roses for the Pretty" at 13:14 on Feb. 14.
The Hakka Culture Development Center emphasizes that during the Spring Festival, the park is filled with blooming flower fields showcasing colorful Persian chrysanthemums, cosmos, and tobacco flowers, making it perfect for families to stroll amidst the natural beauty; and the Liugdui bazaar offers a variety of goods. Furthermore, to celebrate the “Liugdui Autumn Harvest Festival” winning the Tourism Spotlight Award from the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, there will be additional prizes for participants who take photos and check in at the "Exploring Hakka Villages" event. Visitors are welcomed to explore the park during the Spring Festival and immerse themselves in its diverse festive ambiance to welcome the New Year. For further details on activities, please visit the official website and fan page of Liugdui Hakka Cultural Park.
