HAC Minister Gu Show-faye attended the event and expressed how deeply touched she felt. Firstly, the environment looked more beautiful than ever. Secondly, 10-year olds and girls could be spotted in the Song Jiang Battle Array, in contrast with most people’s impressions of such troupes. Members comprised more than just descendants of the Jiang family: friends from all around Nansi joined the performance. Thirdly, the event host spoke fluent Hakka, an impressive transformation for someone who spoke zero Hakka a year and a half prior. This demonstrates the success of Hakka language and culture revitalization in Tainan. Fourthly, a baby has been born in the family of Lutian Village Chief Huang Han-wei, a source of much joy. Attending the ceremony today, Minister Gu fully felt the vibrant energy and vitality of the entire Nansi District.
Old Jiang’s House in LuTauYang, Nansi, Tainan is the largest and best preserved Hakka settlement of a single clan, with an area of 3.5 hectares. It conserves a mudbrick house and bamboo house, as well as a red brick house and roughcast house from the Japanese colonial era, spanning two centuries of history, an extremely precious repository of cultural and historical value. It epitomizes Taiwan’s rural housing across the eras and promotes development of local specialty industries.
Today’s event took place in the Crescent Moon Pond Square in front of Old Jiang’s House. The rattling of gongs and drums from the Song Jiang Battle Array opened the show, followed by a tour of the autumn market and settlement architecture led by the Nansi Youth Work Station. Despite the sweltering weather, young and old alike flocked to partake in the festive atmosphere. Mr. Guo, who came into the Song Jiang Battle Array through his father, said he felt delighted to see improvement in the environment of the Crescent Moon Pond. Now, people use it more frequently, with some taking strolls by night.
