By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Li Xinyi
The South Island Culture and Arts Festival has kicked off in Taitung and will run until September 15. Taitung County Magistrate Huang Jian-ting stated that according to anthropologist Bellwood’s research, Taitung may be the homeland of Austronesian peoples. Now in its 13th year, this year’s South Island Culture and Arts Festival is specially themed around “Marine Culture.” Starting August 1, it invited the Republic of Nauru, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, as well as local Amis tribes such as Malan, Dulan, and Shishan to collaborate on canoe-building. Nine canoes have been completed and will be available for public experience in paddle canoe and bamboo raft activities at the Huoshui Lake in Taitung Forest Park from tomorrow (the 11th) to September 16.
One of the highlights of the festival is the voyage of the Si Mangavang Visiting Canoe along the East Coast, which arrived at its final destination—the golden sandy beach outside Jinchun Fishing Port in Donghe Township—yesterday (9/9). (Photo provided by Taitung County Government)
Today’s (the 10th) events include a performance by Taiwan’s indigenous dance group, the Original Dance Theatre, at the Taitung Cultural Affairs Office Performance Hall from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, featuring a thematic introduction to indigenous rituals. On the evening of the 1st, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the New East Sugar Factory in Dulan Village, Donghe Township, there will be an event themed “High！South Island,” featuring performances by Tahiti, Malaysia, as well as musicians Ilid Kaolo and Dulan Mountain Theater Troupe.
On September 12 from 7:00 to 9:30 PM at Jiada Elementary School in Jinfeng Township, there will be a “Dancing South Island” night with performances by Indonesia, New Zealand, Dakanao, Zhang Weilong, and the Phamons Band. On September 13 and 14, the “South Island Music Night” will be held at Tiehua Village in Taitung City. September 15 marks the final day of the South Island events, with a closing ceremony titled “Farewell South Island” at Taitung City Seaside Park, featuring performances by international groups from Tahiti, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, and a grand finale by Taiwanese artist Wang Hong-en.
The 261 Warehouse at Taitung Railway Art Village will host an exhibition on Orchid Island Marine Culture from now until September 30. (Photo provided by Lanyu Township Office)
Additionally, from now until September 30, the 261 Warehouse at Taitung Railway Art Village will feature an Orchid Island Marine Culture Art Exhibition, showcasing works by local and Taiwanese contemporary artists including Chen Jian-nian, Lin Zi-qin, and Xu Ming-zheng. The 261 Warehouse exhibition is divided into four themes: “Traditional Craft Zone,” “Modern Craft Zone,” “Painting Creation Zone,” and “Video Zone.” The “Traditional Craft Zone” aims to enhance visitors’ understanding of the marine indigenous culture of Orchid Island. The “Modern Craft Zone” explores the transformation between tradition and innovation, presenting different sections of tradition, transition, and modernity to stimulate an appreciation of cross-cultural creativity and dialogue. The “Painting Creation Zone” features works by multiple painters using oil painting, traditional Chinese painting, humorous comics, and other creative methods to allow visitors to engage directly with Orchid Island through visual senses. The “Video Zone” uses documentary footage to showcase the Orchid Island warriors paddling the Simangavang canoe across the Kuroshio Current to visit Taiwan.
● Extended Reading: Ancestral Spirit Houses and Walking Trees – Taitung Launches an In-Depth 1-Day Tribal Tour
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