To present the “spring, summer, autumn, and winter” of culture and festivals in Hsinchu County’s local Hakka villages to the world, the Hsinchu County Cultural Affairs Bureau has worked with the Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation to organize the Hakka Hsinchu exhibition at the Window to Taiwan in Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2 Arrival Hall. The exhibition starts next Wednesday (February 26), and ends May 21. The exhibition will start with an opening ceremony on the first day, and will feature fabulous performances by superb, local traditional performing arts troupes. Hsinchu County Government hopes that through the exhibition, everyone from international passengers to friends and family greeting the newly-arrived can enjoy the diverse, unique charms of Hakka culture.
Magistrate Yang Wen-ke stated that the keynote for the whole exhibition is “Youthful and Colorful”. This calls to mind how Hsinchu County is one of the youngest cities in Taiwan, and also how not only is Hsinchu County’s Hakka culture closely connected with tradition, but how it is continuously progressing and innovating – like the seasons, ever-progressing and re-cycling. Hsinchu County invites everyone, from international passengers to local residents, to visit Taoyuan International Airport and appreciate the Hakka Hsinchu exhibition. You are also welcome to visit Hsinchu County in person, where you can experience the romantic charm of Hakka villages and the richness and attractions of Hakka culture.
During the opening ceremony, fantastic performances will be presented by traditional performing art troupes – the Tienwu Beiguan Bayin Troupe and the Hsinchu County Hakka Lion Association. Additionally, traditional Hakka desserts will be given, so members of the public can get a sense of how warmly Hsinchu County welcomes visitors. In addition to the static displays, two pop-up activities will also be held – one on March 26 focused on tea culture, and one on April 25 focused on the Tung Blossom Festival. These activities will bring visitors a rich sensory experience of Hakka culture.
In Chinese, the exhibition is titled 靚靚客家新竹縣. The Hakka word 靚 (ziangˋ) means “pretty, lovely”, so “靚靚客家” means “The Beautiful Hakka”, and the full title means “Hsinchu County of the Beautiful Hakka”. The title reveals the Hakka people’s deep affection for the land, nature, faith, and traditional culture; it indicates how Hakka villages achieve prosperity between people and land, and how uniquely Hakka people seek aesthetics in life. The exhibition covers festivals, handicrafts, literature, food, performing arts, and more, divided into four sections to represent the four seasons: Beautiful days adorned with Tung blossoms in spring; beautiful souls recalled through the Yimin Festival in summer; beautiful harvests inviting good wishes in autumn; and beautiful peace celebrated with nice food and bustling activity in winter. Together, these create a picture of the contented lives enjoyed by Hakka people in Hsinchu County.
More than 20 works by artists and handicrafts experts from Hsinchu County will also be on display; and there will be cultural artifacts such as instruments commonly used in Hakka bayin music, and a Hakka-style square-mouthed dancing lion. Come see the exhibition and learn more about tradition and innovation in Hsinchu County’s Hakka culture.