The Miaoli Tianguan Festival features a low-carbon Hakka cuisine demonstration

By Liu Jiawen, compiled and reported

This Saturday (the 11th) is the 20th day of the first lunar month, also known as “Tianguan Day” in traditional Hakka custom. On that day, Miaoli County Government will hold a lively Tianguan Festival event at Tongluo Hakka Manor (Tonghua Leisure Park), inviting the public to experience Hakka festive culture. The event will feature traditional Hakka sky-worshipping ceremonies and cultural song and dance performances, and will also welcome renowned chef Liu Renhua, who will demonstrate New Year’s dishes using authentic Hakka ingredients combined with health-conscious, low-carbon concepts, teaching attendees how to cook creative Hakka cuisine.

To promote the playful spirit and simple values of Hakka childhood life, two free hands-on experience sessions will be held, teaching children how to DIY eco-friendly maltose drums and Hakka fabric sandbags. Each session has 20 spots available and registration is on-site. In addition, from now until April 30, the “Hakka Festival Exhibition” being held at Tongluo Hakka Manor will showcase traditional festival artifacts related to Hakka New Year celebrations, Fire Dragon Festival, Tianguan Day, and Ghost Festival, allowing visitors to learn about traditional Hakka lifestyle and food culture.

“Tianguan Day” is the legendary day when the goddess Nüwa forged five-colored stones to mend the sky. On this day, Hakka people traditionally stop their fieldwork to worship and give thanks to Nüwa while giving the earth time to recover. Festive celebrations are also held across various Hakka communities. It’s a great opportunity to visit Miaoli and experience authentic Hakka culture.