Taipei City Honors Three Intangible Cultural Assets with Exhibition

Taipei City is celebrating its rich cultural heritage by officially recognizing three distinct intangible assets: the "Taiwanese Lion Dance," "Qili'an Stone Carving," and the "Taipei Ying'angong Folk Belief." The city's Cultural Affairs Bureau presented certificates to the preservers and groups responsible for safeguarding these traditions, underscoring the government's commitment to their preservation and transmission.

A special exhibition titled "Pioneers: Taipei City's Intangible Cultural Assets and Preservation Techniques" is now open at the Bopiliao Historic Block. This exhibition offers the public a deep dive into the unique artistry and cultural significance of these three assets. Visitors can explore the intricate movements of the Taiwanese Lion Dance, learn about the specialized techniques of Qili'an stone carving, and understand the spiritual roots of the Ying'angong folk belief.

The "Taiwanese Lion Dance," registered as a traditional performing art, combines lion head craftsmanship, martial arts, drumming, and ritualistic elements. Hong Wen-ding, a recognized preserver and head of the Shitouwang Troupe, has dedicated himself to preserving the traditional "detai" method of lion head creation and integrating martial arts into the performance. He has also established an association to systematize the art form and promote its teaching in schools and through international exchange, aiming to elevate Taiwanese lion dance on a global stage.

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Preserving lion dance is a lifelong mission. Through campus teaching and association promotion in recent years, many young generations have joined the learning. I hope we can all work together to let Taiwanese lion dance walk onto a broader stage.

"Qili'an Stone Carving," designated as a preservation technique, reflects the local history and industry of the Beitou district. Xie Yan-shan, from a family of stone carvers, possesses deep knowledge of Qili'an stone's geological layers and traditional carving methods. His work not only documents the evolution of Beitou's quarrying industry but also contributes to stone art creation and reuse, ensuring the memories and skills of local artisans are not forgotten.

"Taipei Ying'angong Folk Belief" is recognized as a folk custom, tracing its origins to the Anxi immigrants from Fujian province. This belief system, centered around the "Shuangzhong" deities, has become a significant spiritual anchor for communities in northern Taiwan. Four temples, Muzha Zhongshun Temple, Jingmei Jiying Temple, Muzha Jiying Temple, and Wanlong Jiying Temple, jointly preserve this faith and its associated folk activities, symbolizing the shared historical memory of local residents. The exhibition, running until September 27, also includes interactive activities designed to engage the public more deeply with these cherished cultural traditions.

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As long as I still have the strength, I will continue to teach everyone to understand this technique, so that the stories of the stone carvers of Beitou will not be forgotten.