Abandoned Police Station in Pingtung Becomes Stage for Immersive Cultural Festival

A revitalized abandoned police station in Checheng, Pingtung, has become the vibrant "Checheng Cultural Festival" venue, marking a new chapter in local youth-led creative initiatives. This transformation of the former police station into a youth creative base injects dynamic energy into the region, historically a significant hub for indigenous and Han Chinese trade.

Organized by returning local youth Lin Zhi-qing, who leveraged his master's degree expertise, and the art team "Lin Zuo," the festival centered on "rural arts and culture." It moved beyond traditional theater by incorporating the lively "banquet" culture and presenting an engaging, immersive musical play titled "Let's Go to Checheng, It's Alright!". This performance blended local issues with humor and joy, leaving a lasting cultural impression on southern Taiwan.

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Seeing our hometown's stories performed so vividly and warmly by young people, and attracting people from all over to come, makes one see Checheng's passion and pride anew, and even more so, look forward to this artistic energy continuing.

The event highlighted the achievements and future prospects of young people deeply invested in rural development. Activities included historical tours of local temples, a "zero-waste" handicraft market, and performances by a local elementary school drum team, students, a puppetry troupe, and a documentary screening. Local residents expressed deep emotion seeing their village's stories brought to life so vividly by young people, attracting visitors from afar and reigniting pride in Checheng.

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It is very meaningful for young people to be willing to return to create and cultivate the local area.

Cultural historian Nian Ji-cheng praised the initiative, emphasizing the significance of young people returning to create and cultivate local culture. He noted the successful integration of precious Hakka history and local nuances with contemporary performing arts, breaking down venue boundaries and setting a precedent for rural arts development. Nian stressed that continued public and private support for exhibition spaces and resources could unlock immense potential for rural cultural innovation, encouraging talented youth to "stay rooted in their hometowns."

The organizers, "Lin Zuo," view the festival's successful conclusion as just the beginning. They aim to secure more resources, strengthen cultural lectures, and build industry connections to attract more young talent, fostering a flourishing cultural landscape in the Hengchun Peninsula.

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If the public sector and private sector can continue to provide spacious and comfortable exhibition spaces and resources, allowing talented young people to 'stay rooted in their hometowns,' rural cultural creation will show unlimited prospects.