Three generations sing family stories in native tongues for Grandparents' Day

Taiwan's Ministry of Education hosted a vibrant Grandparents' Day celebration, emphasizing "Intergenerational Learning, Intergenerational Inclusion" to foster stronger family bonds. The event encouraged three generations within families to connect through shared activities, particularly singing familiar songs and recounting family stories in their native languages.

This year marked the 17th iteration of Grandparents' Day, established in 2010, with the annual celebration falling on the fourth Sunday of August. This year's theme, "Singing Slowly, Love Resonating Slowly," brought together families at the National Taiwan Science Education Center. Participants showcased diverse ways of intergenerational interaction, including families blending Hakka and indigenous songs with musical accompaniment, and others engaging in conversations and singing in Taiwanese Hokkien while incorporating musical and dance elements.

Minister of Education Deputy Minister Liu Kuo-wei presented awards to eight outstanding works recognized in a competition that received 117 submissions. He stressed that learning occurs throughout life, not just in schools, and that family and community play crucial roles. "We hope that through Grandparents' Day, families will be encouraged to value exchanges between different generations," Liu stated, adding that the wisdom of elders can serve as valuable resources for families, while younger generations can gain understanding, appreciation, and respect for their elders through companionship.

The event featured 15 interactive booths and performances by the Taipei Percussion Ensemble and the Gao Ping Community Hakka Tea-Picking Dance. Families were invited to slow down, sing a song, share a story, or learn a phrase in a native language with their elders, creating precious shared memories and ensuring the continuation of familiar languages, cultures, and familial affection across generations.

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We hope that through Grandparents' Day, families will be encouraged to value exchanges between different generations.