The "Meinong Hakka Tung Blossom Festival" series of activities organized by Miaoli City Government officially kicked off on the 26th. Unlike the Council of Hakka Affairs' "worship of the God of Land" ceremony, Mayor Chiu Ping-kun used the most traditional Hakka ritual to worship the heavens and the mountains and rivers. He also announced that a "Family Well-Behaved Hiking Activity" will be held on May 6th along the trail next to the Gongwei-Su Tunnel, where 100 boxes of "Well-Behaved Sentence Packs" will be given out to allow families to enjoy the cultural charm of Miaoli City’s pedestrian trails.
The ceremony was presided over by Mayor Chiu Ping-kun, accompanied by performances of Hakka eight-tone music, and the Tung Blossom Dance by Huawen Elementary School students kicked off the event. This year, the Council of Hakka Affairs has themed the Tung Blossom Festival as "Come and See the Tung Blossoms," using the worship of the God of Land to express the Hakka people's reverence for heaven, earth, and forests, as well as to symbolize the connection between cultural heritage and the land. However, Mayor Chiu Ping-kun has a different view on which deities the Tung Blossom Festival should actually honor.
Chiu Ping-kun stated that most Hakka ancestors lived in mountainous areas and relied on the mountains for their livelihoods, developing a deep emotional connection with the forests and nature. Traditionally, there has always been a custom of worshipping the heavens and paying homage to the mountains and rivers, expressing the Hakka people’s gratitude and reverence for the land and mountains. It also embodies the spirit of respecting heaven and earth and praying devoutly, reminding Hakka descendants to remember their roots and not forget their origins.
In the future, Miaoli City will continue to hold the Tung Blossom Festival according to traditional Hakka rituals. At the same time, to encourage children to go outdoors and appreciate the tung blossoms, the city government has specially prepared 100 boxes of "Well-Behaved" sentence packs, allowing children to enjoy the fun of hiking while also engaging in creative sentence-making.
Visitors can get off at Sanhu Dao Meinong Mountain Park and stroll along the trail, passing by the national historic site of the Lai Family Chastity Archway and the Army 296th Division Memorial Monument, before arriving at the country’s only castle-style brick arch tunnel. After entering the 460-meter-long Seven-Colored Time Tunnel, continue for another 400 meters to see a real diesel locomotive and carriages. A tung blossom rest area covering several hundred square meters has been developed next to the parking lot, with construction expected to be completed by the end of May.
(China Times)