A Cross-Strait Vocal Showdown: The Chinese Ulchi Tribe Joins Taiwan’s Indigenous Choir Festival

By MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Network, compiled and reported by Chen Guanxin

 

With the International Day of the World's Indigenous People on August 9 drawing near, Taiwan’s own Indigenous Peoples’ Day will be celebrated on August 1. In celebration, the “Taiwan Indigenous Choir Festival” will take place on the evenings of tomorrow and the day after at 7:00 PM at Pingtung Zhongzheng Art Center, featuring performances by the Chinese Ulchi tribe who have come across the strait to join in. Additionally, 16 forest recreation areas, 4 national scenic areas, and 5 farms—including Taipingshan Forest Recreation Area, Wuling Farm, and Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area—will offer discounted admission for visitors with Indigenous status on August 1. Among them, the Qingzhou Coastal Recreational Area in Kenting, Dapeng Bay Camp, and Taitung Donghe Farm are offering free entry.

This year’s choir festival theme is “senasena-i,” which means “Let’s all sing together” in the Paiwan language. The event includes workshops and an evening music performance. Tomorrow (July 27), the evening concert will feature Golden Melody Award-winning Paiwan tribal chief Lin Guangcai, Shao Niyao, and SRA Kaohsiung soprano Lee Shuyuan. The “Fujian Taimu Mountain 'Happy Choir'” from the Chinese Ulchi tribe will also perform in Taiwan as musical friends. On the following day (July 28), performances will be given by groups such as the Wan’an Elementary School Cultural Arts Class, Jiayi Elementary School (Hope) Choir, and Sandimen Church Choir. This year marks the first time the Indigenous Choir Festival has introduced ticketed entry, with each ticket priced at NT$100. Proceeds will be donated by the county government’s Indigenous Affairs Office to social welfare organizations. For ticket details, visit the National Theater & Concert Hall online ticketing platform or inquire at a 7-Eleven store.

Furthermore, on August 1, 16 forest recreation areas will offer a special NT$10 admission fee for visitors with Indigenous status, while five farms will provide either free entry or discounts of NT$10–20. The Yehliu Geopark in the North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area will charge NT$25; the Snake Kiln Ceramics Culture Park in Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area will cost NT$120; the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area’s diving service area, ocean park, seaside park, bathing beach, and camping area will have fees ranging from NT$50 to NT$80; and the Qingzhou Coastal Recreational Area and Dapeng Bay Camp in Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area will offer free entry. For more detailed information on discounts, please visit Taitung County Government’s Indigenous Peoples website: www.taitung.gov.tw/Aborigine/index.aspx.

 

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