To promote the cultural landscapes of Taiwan
Romantic Route 3 (also known as Provincial Highway 3), the Romantic
Route 3 Arts Festival (浪漫台三線藝術季) will be held from Oct. 19
through Dec. 15 at various locations across Taiwan, including Taipei City,
Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, and Taichung City.
Hakka Affairs Council Minister Lee Yung-de stated that this is the
inaugural Hakka-themed collaboration between the central government and five
city/county governments, which made delegating and integrating tasks a big
challenge. Lee added that the importance of the festival is to encourage local
residents to create art and rediscover wonderful stories in Hakka settlements
through the lens of artists.
Wu Han-chung (吳漢中), who was the chief design officer of the 2018 Taichung World Flora
Exposition (臺中世界花卉博覽會), was invited to serve as the design director of the Hakka arts
festival. He is determined to raise the profile of Taiwan Romantic Route 3 at
home and abroad through design and arts at the cultural event.
56 artists from 6 countries will be invited to create on-site and
exhibit their artworks in the two-month event. Visitors can take their time to
stroll along Provincial Highway 3 and appreciate the fascinating art creations.
The festival encompasses three themes: waterways, highways, and trails,
which are intertwined with time to form a glamorous avenue that complements the
downshifting lifestyle of Hakka villages.
At the opening event of the festival on Oct. 19 and 20, Taiwanese artist
Lin Shuen-long (林舜龍) will bring his creative process to Taipei’s
Ketagalan Boulevard. Holding his hand-drawn manuscript, Lin elaborated on his
ideas with excitement at a press conference on Sept. 24. He will use plenty of
bamboo materials and trays for sunning persimmons to build his installation art
in front of the Presidential Office Building. Visitors will have the opportunity
to enjoy dried persimmons and have some tea while they bathe in sunshine.
Lin noted that sun-dried ingredients, which convey the importance of cherishing foods and enduring hardships, are an essential part of Hakka culture. Lin’s artwork will serve as prologue to the arts festival, paying tribute to Taiwan’s fertile land and beautiful traditions.
