Organized by the Taichung City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau, the “2026 Taichung Literature Festival – A City Shaped by Literature” held its "Darkness x Five Senses: Mapping the Old City with the Visually Impaired" walk yesterday (May 10). This event marks the festival’s first departure from traditional tour formats, inviting both visually impaired participants and the general public to experience Taichung’s literary landscapes through their five senses. The inclusive walk aims to practice the spirit of diversity and inclusion, allowing different communities to participate in the process of "shaping the city."

The Cultural Affairs Bureau explained that the tour was led by local writer Liu Shu-Fu. Starting from Taichung Railway Station, the route followed the city's historical veins through the old downtown. The itinerary linked iconic landmarks including Miyahara (a former eye clinic), the Green River banks, Nan Yuan Restaurant, Taichung City Hall, and Taichung Prefectural Hall. Walking through areas once frequented by post-war elites, participants savored the city’s authentic heritage through Japanese architectural aesthetics, culinary culture, and urban literature.

To simulate the daily life of the visually impaired and encourage perspective-shifting, co-organizers the Chinese Blind Running Association and Taichung Railway Cultural Park designed a "simulated blindness experience." At the Old Rail Art Gallery, participants were blindfolded and, assisted by volunteers, completed tasks like navigating stairs and picking up keys. This allowed them to experience the "vision" of the visually impaired while reflecting on the coexistence of diverse groups.

Following Liu Shu-Fu, the group visited the 40-year-old Huatai Coffee, the memory-rich Central Bookstore, the former Changhua Bank, and the Taiwan Sun Cake Museum (Quan An Tang). The journey concluded at ASEAN Square, a hub of contemporary immigrant culture, ending a cross-temporal sensory journey interwoven with history and culture.

Visually impaired participants expressed gratitude for the thoughtfully designed event. They noted that moving beyond visual limitations to "re-hear," smell, and walk the city through a writer's lens was a precious and beautiful experience.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that literature is the bedrock of a city and a driver for its future. In a fast-paced AI era, the quiet power of literature is more vital than ever. The festival continues through early July. Participants may receive a limited-edition "Taichung Literature Festival Carry-all Bag," a collaboration with CSD (China Surgical Dressings Center). For more information, please visit the Taichung Literature Museum Facebook page.