Over a hundred limited-edition cultural and creative sticker booths – the five zones of the Taiwan Cultural and Creative Expo are super fun to explore

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family, compiled and reported
 
The 2019 Taiwan Cultural and Creative Expo launched in a grand fashion on April 24 and ran for 12 days. This year, it expanded to five major zones, each presenting one of five themes: “Evolving Stage,” “Editing Place,” “Expo,” “Cultural University,” and “NEXT Railway Museum.” Creative talents from design, performing arts, music, and other interdisciplinary fields participated together.

In the Huashan Cultural Concept Zone, the “Evolving Stage” exhibition space also serves as a performance venue, featuring over 40 shows, involving 29 participating groups, and nearly a hundred hours of performances. The diverse lineup includes cross-genre acts such as the puppetry master Chen Xihuang collaborating with the contemporary Taiwanese rock band “Pa-Sian Youth” for an outdoor stage show, and Golden Melody Award winner Ilid Kaolo and her band Siang-Siâng, performing the most sincere and pure sounds of the land.

Another theme in the Huashan Cultural Concept Zone, “Editing Place,” introduces local cultural venues through curated exhibitions. Planned by Wang Yaobang, You Zhiwei, Fang Xuzhong, You Shiruen, and Suming, it showcases four cities: Taoyuan, Tainan, Pingtung, and Taitung. Through real exploration and documentation, it presents local culture. The specially created local magazine “The Place” breaks away from traditional economy-driven thinking to uncover the “wildest and most modern” side of these places.

Additionally, the craft pavilion themed “Tea 3.1415” uses the evolution of tea culture as a starting point to discuss the various forms of craftsmanship in daily life. The “Mountain-Sea-Temple Fair – A Grand Feast” market gathers 24 brands from the four “Editing Place” cities, including Taoyuan’s Wild Above Bakery, Tainan’s A-Xia Restaurant, and Pingtung’s Fuwang Chocolate, offering local delicacies presented in the lively style of temple courtyard banquets.

The “Cultural University” features the theme “Mixed Water Fishing Pond” and hosts exhibitions, forums, and workshops to create a diverse space for discussion, reflection, and learning. Meanwhile, the “NEXT Railway Museum” at the Taipei Railway Workshop opens part of its wall near the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. Through large-scale grandstand installations and curated exhibition spaces, visitors can view the entire Taipei Railway Workshop, glimpse traces of the past, and imagine the future.