Hakka festival wraps up in Taipei City

2014-10-28

Taipei Hakka Yimin Festival concluded Oct. 27 at National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Taipei City Hakka Cultural Park, providing participants a special opportunity to learn more about Taiwan’s second largest ethnic group.

“Hakkas comprise around one-fifth of the Han population,” President Ma Ying-jeou said. “It is important to highlight their valuable role in the nation’s development through such events as this festival.”

The president made the remarks while attending a worship ceremony for the 27 Yimin gods, Hakkas who gave their lives in protecting home communities against intruders. Also attending were Hakka Affairs Council Minister Liu Ching-chung and Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin.

According to Ma, the annual event—now in its 27th year—is one of many initiatives implemented by the government to raise the Hakka community’s profile. These include the Hakka Basic Act, National Hakka Conference and National Hakka Day. “We will continue hosting similar activities going forward,” he said.

Echoing the president’s comments, Hau said the festival is a special opportunity to showcase the vibrancy of Hakkas as well as the diversity of Taipei culture. “It is also an important international platform to facilitate exchanges between Hakkas and non-Hakkas.”

As the most important Hakka-themed event in Taiwan, the four-day festival organized by Taipei City Government featured activities such as a 120-kilometer god parade through downtown Taipei, a souvenir market and lantern displays. The event attracted more than 10,000 participants from home and abroad.

A highlight of the festival was the performance night featuring six top-notch local arts groups, including Chio-Tian Folk Drums and Arts Troupe, Formosa Fantasy and Hung Sheng Lion Dance Theater. In addition to Yimin god dances and traditional Hakka folk songs, it included jazz, pop and rock ‘n’ roll, as well as a dazzling LED visual show.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=223316&CtNode=413)