Literature is the treasure of a city's memories! To foster Taichung's literary development and enhance students' knowledge of local literature, the fifth and sixth graders from Zhongke Elementary School in the rural Dongshi District were invited to the 2024 Taichung Literature Festival. They visited the Taichung Literature Museum, known for its historical Japanese-style police dormitory, and participated in the “Seed Action,” where they spent a day as volunteer guides. Led by a famous writer, the students were introduced to the cultural history of Taichung's mountain, coastal, Tun, and city areas, giving them a chance to explore Taichung's rich cultural resources!
The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that Taichung is a city of culture where many renowned writers have grown up and lived. Their unique characteristics and literary styles have shaped the city's artistic and cultural atmosphere. This event saw 16 students from Zhongke Elementary School guided by local cultural expert Poh Yun-lung, using the Taichung Literature Museum as the focal point to learn about the city’s notable writers and historical landmarks. The students received training in guiding and communication, with the goal of nurturing their literary potential. Like seeds of literature, they are expected to bring this energy into their lives, contributing to the promotion of urban literature. Perhaps one day, they’ll even become writers themselves in Taichung's literary community, unleashing their imaginations and creating their own works.
Taichung Literature Museum's featured writers, Liao Yu-hui, Shih Te-hua, and Li Chang-ching, also made a special appearance at the event, where they were warmly received and guided by the students. The young guides, dressed in volunteer vests, energetically introduced stories behind various exhibits, such as “The Pseudo Fishmonger’s Guide - Fish Divination House” curated by writer Lin Kai-lun, the portrait wall of Taichung's renowned writers, famous quotes, manuscripts, and an interactive AR poetry wall. Liao Yu-hui expressed her joy at seeing so many new faces joining Taichung's literary community, saying that the future cultural scene is full of promise. Shih Te-hua and Li Chang-ching also complimented that the young guides, with their confident performances, were as skilled as professional guides!
The 2024 Taichung Literature Festival is spreading the seeds of literature throughout the city with a series of events, aiming to nurture new literary talent and enhance Taichung's culturally rich landscape across its mountain, coastal, Tun, and city areas. In addition to numerous engaging events, the festival is also hosting a themed exhibition, “Rhythms of Words in Motion,” at the Taichung Literature Museum. Focusing on the concept of “rhythm,” the exhibition offers visitors a distinctive sensory experience of literature. For more information, visit the Taichung Literature Museum's official website (https://www.tlm.taichung.gov.tw/) and Facebook page.