Blue-dyeing DIY experiences help build a bridge for international cultural exchanges in a spirit of friendship. A group of over 20 visitors composed of young and old members of the Japanese “Hippo Homestay International Cultural Exchange & Friendship Program” and their local homestay families in Taiwan proceeded to Taichung City Huludun Cultural Center today (the 2nd) to participate in a blue-dyeing DIY activity. The whole creative process from the pattern design to the actual tie-dyeing, from the pattern design to the actual tie-dyeing, was accompanied by waves of laughter. When the participants saw the gorgeous patterns they had created with their own hands, they cheered with surprise. This activity marks an unforgettable, beautiful memory of this exchange visit to Taichung.

Ms. Chen Jia-Jun, Director of the Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau, points out that Mayor Lu Shiow-yen has been actively committed to promoting international cultural exchanges since taking office and that cultural experiences are the best way to get a first-hand impression of the charm of city life. In the wake of a warmly received blue-dyeing DIY activity arranged by Taichung City Huludun Cultural Center in the context of a visit by a delegation of Friendship Force of Minnesota/Twin Cities from the US to Taichung last October upon official invitation by Outward Bound Taiwan, a similar activity was planned this year for a group composed of young and old members of the Japanese “Hippo Homestay International Cultural Exchange & Friendship Program” and their local homestay families in Taiwan. The volunteer team of Huludun Cultural CenterHuludun Cultural Center volunteer team taught participants how to make blue-dyed bandanas to give them a first-hand experience of a traditional handicraft technique with local characteristics.

Ms. Lin Xiu-Mei, Chairperson of Outward Bound Taiwan, stresses that “cultural experiences represent the best avenue for civil diplomacy and exchanges.” The delegation of Friendship Force of Minnesota/Twin Cities, which visited Taiwan last year, was made up ofFriendship Force of Minnesota/Twin Cities delegation, which visited Taiwan last year, comprised retired elite professionals from various industries. With a view to givingTo give these friendship ambassadors a better understanding and first-hand experience of local culture, a blue-dyeing DIY activity was organized by Taichung City Huludun Cultural Center. All participants were full of praise for the creations resulting from this activity. Some delegation members tied the highly aesthetic and practical, blue-dyed bandana with unique cultural connotations around their neck, others used it as a jewelry bag, still others framed it to hang it on their living room wall or gave it as a gift to friends; others used it as a jewelry bag, and still, others framed it to hang on their living room wall or gave it as a gift to friends' or relatives. Numerous members stated their intention to join this activity again and continue their partnership with the Cultural Affairs Bureau in the promotion of cultural experience activities with local characteristics on the international stage in the future.

Mr. Guo Tian-Yun, Director of Huludun Cultural Center shares that the center’s volunteer team has maintained its efforts to ignite interest blue-dyeing, an art form with an extraordinary significance, shares that the center’s volunteer team has maintained its efforts to ignite interest in blue-dyeing, an art form with extraordinary significance, through activities organized on campuses and in communities over many years. As of last year, blue-dyeing hands-on-experience activities are offered under the Banyan tree on the large square. The efforts of the center to pass down the blue-dyeingblue dyeing with profound local cultural connotations have earned wide public acclaim. Despite the language barrier, the volunteers were able to communicate with the delegation members through body language and smiles, which imperceptibly narrowed the distance between them. In the course of this interactive learning process, the participants also gained a better understanding of local cultural connotations and life aesthetics in Taiwan and both sides were able to broaden their international outlook.

Huludun Cultural Center has announced that its it plans to organize one blue-dyeing hands-on experience activity per month in 2024. A fee of NT$ 150 is charged for one blue-dyed bandana. The center accepts group reservations and warmly invites all citizens to eagerly participate in its activities. For more details about upcoming events and activities, please visit the center’s official website at https://www.huludun.taichung.gov.tw/.。.