Yunlin Community Building Joint Exhibition Revives 1960s Alleyway Life

The “Yunlin County Community Building Joint Exhibition” kicked off with a lively opening on the 16th at the Jianguo Military Dependents’ Village in Huwei Township. Nearly 60 community representatives from across the county gathered to showcase their unique characteristics through creative presentations set in the old military village, taking everyone on a trip down memory lane to experience life and the sense of community in the alleys during the 1960s.

The “Yunlin County Community Building Joint Exhibition” was jointly inaugurated by Magistrate Lee Chin-yung, Chang Hui-chu, a specialist from the Ministry of Culture, and Huwei Township Mayor Lin Wen-pin. The event featured performances from community theaters representing both the mountain and coastal regions, traditional folk crafts, storytelling performances with paper puppets, community film exhibitions, and delicious home-cooked dishes from the alleys—creating an exciting and vibrant atmosphere.

Magistrate Lee Chin-yung stated that local culture always begins within the alleys, which is why this year’s joint community exhibition is themed “We’re in the Alleyways, With All of You Here.” The venue was chosen to be the Jianguo No. 1 Village military dependents’ community, filled with the ambiance of the 1950s, aiming to transport visitors through time and into the nostalgic sights of the old alleyways, allowing them to experience the local charm of Yunlin.

The event specially designed five major thematic zones: the “Alleyway Stage,” where audiences can enjoy community-created collective performances in the community theater—full of laughter and tears; the “Marketplace for Good Eats,” where visitors can revisit grandma’s secret home-cooked dishes when hunger strikes; and the “Alleyway Courtyard,” offering the warm experience of gathering in the temple square to listen to stories told by paper puppet performers.

The county’s Cultural Affairs Bureau explained that through the lenses of professional directors, the community film screenings allow the public to experience documentaries about “Food in Yunlin” featuring perspectives from the coastal areas, military villages, and the Zhao’an Hakka community, as well as 12 short films rich in community warmth—introducing more people to the fascinating Yunlin seen through the eyes of local residents.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau added that following the community building joint exhibition, there will also be an in-depth “Yunlin Community Cultural Journey” that allows participants to experience local life and industries. Two 2-day tour packages and two 1-day tour packages have been launched, inviting everyone to join in the fun all the way through February 10th of next year.