Taoyuan Vanguard Festival honors Hakka pioneers with 131st anniversary concert

The 2026 Taoyuan Vanguard Festival has commenced, celebrating the spirit of the Hakka people and their historical defense of their homeland. The festival, jointly organized by the Taoyuan City Hakka Affairs Bureau and Pingzhen District Office, spans traditional arts performances and modern family interactive experiences. A key event was the "Vanguard Soul Night – 131st Anniversary Concert of Yixin Defending Taiwan," held at the 1895 Yixin Defense Memorial Park.

The concert brought together descendants of the Yixin War and citizens to commemorate the Hakka pioneers who bravely defended their land. The event featured a commemorative performance titled "Bloodline – Vanguard Soul and Loyal Courage," which combined tap dance, modern theater, puppetry, and Hakka language to interpret the history of the Yixin War. A highlight was the debut of a nearly 3-meter-tall giant puppet, jointly created by residents from Longtan, Daxi, and Pingzhen, areas that were major battlegrounds during the war.

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131 years ago, Hakka vanguard leaders such as Jiang Shao-zu, Wu Tang-hsing, and Xu Xiang led Hakka pioneers to resist the Japanese army, demonstrating the spirit of defending their homes and land.

This year's festival continues the tradition of immersive night memorial ceremonies and incorporates diverse artistic expressions. Local Hakka singers Ye Yu-ting and Ou Biwang, along with the Akashi Archives, provided musical entertainment. The festival also includes a Hakka market, cultural and creative crafts, and interactive experiences, allowing visitors to appreciate the rich cultural charm of the Hakka community while remembering history.

Hakka Affairs Council Development Center Director Xie Sheng-xin praised the Taoyuan City Government for its continuous efforts in organizing the "Taoyuan Vanguard Festival." He highlighted the bravery of Hakka pioneers like Jiang Shao-zu and Wu Tang-hsing, who led resistance against Japanese forces 131 years ago. Hakka Affairs Bureau Director Fan Chiang Tai-chi noted the collaboration with the Pingzhen District Office's Yimin Festival, aiming to pass down the spirit of resistance from historical events like the Lin Shuang-wen incident and the Yixin War.

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This year's Yixin commemoration continues to cooperate with the Pingzhen District Office's Yimin Festival, extracting the Taoyuan vanguard spirit from the Lin Shuang-wen incident at the end of the 18th century and the Yixin War at the end of the 19th century. We hope to pass on this spirit of vanguard through a series of activities.