This October, the Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Park is set to offer a captivating experience! On October 5, the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau hosted the opening ceremony of the “Taichung Chingshui Art Festival x Taichung Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Festival x Microsatellite Experimental & Creative Hub - Artist-In-Residence Program Exhibition.” Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin represented Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen at the ceremony. He said that the October event at the Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Park will bring back the nostalgic charm of military dependents’ villages from days gone by. Highlights of the event include installation art, military dependents’ village-themed exhibitions, talks, craft workshops, markets, and performances by the GuoGuang Opera Company and Aofeng Drum Troupe. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!
Today's event opened with captivating performances by the Music Class from Qingshui High School and the Miaoxuan Dance Company, an outstanding performing arts group from Taichung. Deputy Mayor Cheng, who grew up in a military dependents’ village, shared his deep emotional connection to such villages. The Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village, a designated cultural heritage site and settlement, is one of 13 such preserved areas in Taiwan, and stands out as a rare rural military dependents’ village. This year’s program especially combines the popular Taichung Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Festival, the Microsatellite Artist-In-Residence Program for emerging artists, and the first-ever Taichung Chingshui Art Festival. The goal is to offer the public a chance to reconnect with the historical charm and cultural heritage of the military dependents’ village through a rich lineup of arts and cultural events.
Vice President Chiang Chi-chen of the Legislative Yuan, during his third visit to the Qingshui Military Dependents' Village since July, noted that military dependents’ villages embody both cultural heritage and daily life, and have the potential to become part of the cultural industry. Such culture can also be promoted. Going forward, Chiang will continue to seek funding for the third phase of the renovation of the Qingshui Military Dependents' Village. Additionally, he noted that Taichung's many old dormitories could be restored and linked with the military dependents' villages, helping to establish a new tourism corridor in the city.
The much-anticipated Taichung Chingshui Art Festival is now open and will run until November 3. Through art installations by five artists, along with guided tours and workshops, visitors can explore the historical journey of life in military dependents’ villages merged with contemporary creativity. Curator Fang His-wen said that this year's theme, “Military Dependents’ Village Charm,” includes pieces like Candyce Shih Chieh Wang's “A Place to Land.” The artwork, shaped like a parachute and incorporating beaded curtains and tiles, invites public participation and beautifully captures the bittersweet memories of everyday life in military dependents’ villages.
Artist Lee Bo-Chun’s art installation “The Crimson Wall” uses street furniture to symbolize the evolving relationships within the neighborhood at the borders of the military dependents' village. Meanwhile, the Sangusantu Project’s piece “Where Grass Meets Warm Earth” draws on materials such as chaff and straw from Qingshui, as well as construction debris at the Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village to capture the land’s memories. The public is also invited to contribute to the creation of the “Tudigong Cane,” infusing the artwork with blessings.
Curated by Artist Chen Yi-fan, the Microsatellite Experimental & Creative Hub - Artist-In-Residence Program Exhibition “Connecting x Switching” showcases the work of four selected young artists—Li Yu-fang, Wu Hsia-ning, Lu Yun-shan, and Chiang-Niao Chiu-Jih. These artists created site-specific works through public interactions and field explorations, infusing the Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village with an artistic atmosphere. The exhibition runs until October 27, and visitors are encouraged to attend.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau also noted that the Qingshui Military Dependents' Village, along with the Taichung City Military Dependents' Village Museum and Yide Mansion, will be hosting the Taichung Military Dependents' Village Cultural Festival until October 13. Visitors can enjoy performances by the Guoguang Opera Company, Aofeng Drum Troupe, and Jin Yu Yuan Puppet Theatre. They can also participate in costume try-ons at the plaza of the Taichung City Seaport Art Center nearby to immerse themselves in traditional Chinese opera. The festival also features exhibitions on the history of the military dependents' villages, the geological evolution and prehistoric culture of Dadu Plateau, as well as a whimsical children’s art exhibition, an art installation exhibition, and a variety of craft workshops. The Qingshui Military Dependents' Village is sure to offer entertainment all through October.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau added that the combination of nostalgic village scenes and creative installations makes the Qingshui Military Dependents' Village a prime location for taking photos. In addition, the event offers a variety of activities, including talks, guided tours, food tastings, weekend markets, craft workshops, and street performances. Visitors can also collect stamps during the event to receive a limited-edition bucket hat.