Text / Compiled and reported by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network
The “2012 Hengchun International Folk Music Festival” runs from now until November 3 in Hengchun as well as in towns including Pingtung City, Donggang, and Fangliao. The festival combines performances by local and international groups, showcasing a diverse range of styles and flavors. According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, this year’s international acts include Iran’s Sabān Ensemble, Indonesia’s Samba Sunda, Finland’s Kantele Band, **Travellers, and Australia’s Time to Ignite, among other international folk music groups. Local Taiwanese performers include Grandma Zhang Rigui, The Mountain Wind Kids, The Eagles Indian Group, Chamaq Percussion Group, Shepherd Band, and Rose Yung & Lone Wolf, among others, taking turns on stage.
The Hengchun International Folk Music Festival brings together folk songs from various towns, conveying local culture through song. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)
Besides three town performances—this evening (29th) at 7:30 PM at Fangliao Fishing Port and tomorrow (30th) at 4:30 PM at Guanshan Fudeyan—as well as the Pingtung City Theme Night on November 2 featuring folk music from different countries, enabling residents of other towns to enjoy distinctive folk songs, the event on October 31 at Hengchun Dongmen Square, titled “Mountain & Sea Ode & Folk MV Show,” will feature performers of all ages embodying the spirit of folk singing and celebrating local scenery. This is paired with locally themed videos shown during the folk performances, linking the event closely with regional characteristics.
Guests board the Folk Music Train to mark the official launch of the festival. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)
To attract visitors from all over to join the folk music extravaganza, special offers have been launched, with over 60 shops providing benefits such as dining discounts, accommodation deals, and credit card rewards. Additionally, a “Folk Music Check-in QR Code” experience has been designed, combining major performance events and merchant experiences across 17 check-in spots. The public can scan the QR codes with their smartphones and enter their mobile phone numbers to earn points. Collecting 5 points earns you beach flip-flops, while 8 points will get you a set of hand-drawn postcards. For details, please visit the official website: www.cultural.pthg.gov.tw.
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