Taipei Hakka Foundation launches 'Hakka Stage Study Tour Program' combining theater and park tours

The Taipei Hakka Culture Foundation is presenting the "Hakka Stage Study Tour Program," a series of events scheduled from May 11 to 13 at the Taipei Hakka Culture Park. This initiative aims to immerse participants in Hakka culture through theatrical performances, guided park tours, and family-friendly shows.

The program kicks off on May 11 with the Taipei Puppet Theater Company performing "Nuwa Mends the Sky." This performance, based on ancient mythology, incorporates the Hakka cultural significance of "Tian Chuan Ri" (Heavenly Birthday). Through traditional glove puppetry, performances in the Hakka language, and Chinese subtitles, the event will introduce children to Hakka customs and proverbs. The story's depiction of disasters caused by imbalances in water, fire, and the heavens will prompt students to consider the importance of environmental imbalance, disaster preparedness, and collective home protection.

On May 12, the Jingsheng Theater Troupe will present "Monkey King Flies: The Wind Rises, The Banana Fan." Inspired by classic "Journey to the West" episodes, this performance blends Hakka opera, martial arts, and contemporary issues. It aims to engage students with the vitality of traditional theater through familiar yet fresh storytelling, drawing parallels between plot elements like the Flaming Mountain and borrowing the Banana Fan, and the impacts of climate and environmental change on human behavior.

The weekend ticketed show on May 13 features the Paper Windmill Cultural Foundation's "Xiao Fen and Xiao Lian's Underwater Adventure." This interactive children's play invites families to the Hakka Music and Theater Center for an afternoon of engaging theater. The underwater adventure story, interactive elements, and Hakka vocabulary learning are designed to help children understand life safety, marine environments, and multiculturalism in a fun and accessible way. Ticket holders who check in on the event day will receive a "Creative Colored Pencil Set," "Main Visual Coloring Paper," and "Main Visual Themed Memo Pad."

The foundation highlights that the program's core is "Entering the Theater, Entering the Park, Entering Life." Weekday school tour sessions will invite elementary school students and teachers from Taipei. After attending Hakka-themed performances, students will tour the Hakka Park, learning about distinctive landscapes such as the Jingzi Pavilion, Bogong Pavilion, and Baogong Yimin Temple. The initiative focuses on the connection between local culture and environmental sustainability, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through performances, park tours, and interactive guidance, the program seeks to demonstrate that environmental education extends beyond natural ecosystems to encompass cultural preservation, resource conservation, community well-being, and everyday eco-friendly actions.