In her speech, Minister Gu thanked the Hakka Tsung Tsin Association of Tokyo for putting so much effort into preparation of this grand event. She also pointed out that among the 300 participants in this year’s Convention, 150 fellow Hakkas came from Taiwan and around the world. When she attended the 2024 World Taiwanese Hakka Reunion, Association President Lee Ko-shun brought many Hakka participants from Japan, many of whom she’s stayed in touch with. The Association not only offers services to Hakka individuals in Japan, but also fosters tourism to Japan, creating economic benefits and making plentiful contributions.
Minister Gu also said that the National Taiwan Hakka Children’s Choir was invited to perform in the Convention, their first official show overseas since their foundation in 2019. Members consist of students from third to seventh grade and even had the chance to engage in exchanges with the Otsuma Nakano Junior High School Choir, winners of The NHK All-Japan School Choir Competition. Hakka children demonstrated the beauty of Hakka musical culture to the world through music and their voices.
Finally, Minister Gu invited everyone to visit Taiwan to join the World Hakka Culture Conference, set to take place in October this year, and show care for relevant topics. It is hoped that fellow Hakkas can serve as emissaries for Taiwan on the global stage, continuing to give our best for the island.
In addition to the wonderful opening performance by the National Taiwan Hakka Children’s Choir, the Blue Shirts Music and Dance Troupe, HAC grantees, were also invited to give a show themed “Beautiful Sounds of Taiwan’s Liugdui”, spreading the seeds of Liugdui’s arts and showcasing the cultural charm of Taiwanese Hakka people through song and dance.
The event attracted more than 300 Hakka participants from all over the world, including those the United States, Canada, Spain, and the Philippines. HAC stated that Hakka people have immigrated and settled all over the world. Going forward, a global cultural exchange will take shape by gathering resources of Hakka individuals in many countries and increasing identification and cohesion between Taiwanese Hakka and the Hakka diaspora overseas.
