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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Culture & Society

Hualien Harvest Festival's final night sees four protest political use of indigenous culture

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Four young people protested at the Hualien County Joint Harvest Festival, echoing concerns about the event being used for political promotion.
  • Protesters held signs questioning the appropriation of indigenous culture and the handling of dissent, drawing a crowd of onlookers and police.
  • The Hualien County government reported record attendance for the festival, attracting over 96,000 visitors over four days.

The final night of the Hualien County Joint Harvest Festival saw four young individuals continue a protest against the event's perceived political exploitation. They held signs with messages like "Refuse cultural colonization" and questioned the appropriateness of using indigenous traditions for political gain.

I don't like the Joint Harvest Festival, I don't want to be a political propaganda tool for the King of Hualien.

— ProtesterA sign held by a protester questioning the event's political use.

These protesters voiced their disapproval of the county government's annual festival, arguing it mixes different indigenous groups and misrepresents their cultures, turning a tribal celebration into a tourist attraction. They highlighted the case of a man who was previously detained by police for similar criticisms, leading to their demonstration.

Why is there a Harvest Festival? What does my ancestral spirit have to do with you? Can we perform ancestral worship and burn paper money for everyone during the Qingming Festival?

— ProtesterA sign questioning the appropriation of indigenous culture and traditions.

While police kept a distance and did not intervene, some indigenous attendees expressed embarrassment, urging the protesters not to wear traditional attire while demonstrating. The Hualien County government, meanwhile, celebrated the festival's success, reporting a record-breaking attendance of over 96,000 people over four days, and announced plans for next year's event.

Colonizers who overstep indigenous culture, why do you call yourself homeland?

— ProtesterA sign criticizing those who exploit indigenous culture.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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