HAC has held two editions of the program since 2020, helping 20 young entrepreneurs to settle in Hakka villages. Shih Nai-wun, Chief Creative and Executive Officer of LivelyLand design, and Peng Shih-han, Pastry Chef at Bonbons Studio, success stories of the 2nd edition, were invited to share about their original intention when they chose to move back to their home villages and difficulties they encountered along the way. A native of Xiangshan District, Hsinchu City, Shih Nai-wun said that she had majored in landscape architecture and harnessed her professional expertise to refurbish derelict houses, turning them into vibrant placemaking centers. In addition, by publishing seasonal magazines, organizing arts festivals, and arranging rural sustainable tours, they enable locals to view their hometown and culture from new perspectives.
Pastry Chef Peng Shih-han from Miaoli talked about using local ingredients in creative cuisine after moving back to her home village. She then ingenuously integrated French blue-ribbon baking techniques and eye-catching packaging to offer sweet and savory treats exclusive to Hakka villages. The packaging visual design features local characteristics like indigo dyeing and mountain settlements to put Miaoli on more people's radars. Moreover, Lo Shih-Lung, Founder of Lo Vug Academy and early pioneer in pushing for Hakka village relocation and placemaking, also shared his precious experience. He mentioned, "You need an impetus when moving back to villages, someone pushing you from behind to 'cultivate the land'," and said that his greatest motivation to return was the desire to see Hakka culture flourish and live on. Each Hakka village across Taiwan has its own unique culture worth exploring and experiencing. HAC calls on everyone to "seize the moment, hurry and act on your wishes".
