Exhibition breathes life into Luchunan

2014-09-04

An exhibition on the sights and sounds of Miaoli County’s Luchunan concluded Aug. 24, underscoring local efforts to breathe life into 200-year-plus rural community.

Launched in July, the event featured 40 pictures and a 20-minute documentary chronicling the area’s storied past and a 45-day three-house restoration project. The repair work is part of a Ministry of Education program boost local youth participation in community development.

“We believe the exhibition will help members of the community embrace their cultural heritage and area’s lesser-known beauty,” said Tu Ming-yu, a community development project manager in Luchunan. “The event also serves as a platform for other young people to witness and share the down-to-earth charm of this historic settlement.”

Tu, 24, was joined in organizing the exhibition by fellow Miaoli natives Chang Kuang-yao, Lin Hsin-yi and Taipei City resident Cheng Te-hui. The group agrees it is essential to build upon the success of the event and continue reviving the community, which went into decline as a result of pollution caused by nearby Toufen Industrial Park established in 1973.

“I will come back to Luchunan next year since Miaoli is now my second home,” Cheng said, adding that she further contributed to the community by creating dozens of installation art pottery pieces during her stay.

Echoing Cheng’s remarks, Tu said he will organize more cultural promotion activities going forward. “Local produce festivals and pottery workshops are the first step of many toward our goal of enhancing the community.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=221294&CtNode=413)