In celebration of the annual International Museum Day on May 18, the Museum of Fiber Arts, Taichung held the "Mar’iang! Tribal Market" on May 17. Combining Indigenous culture, music performances, craft demonstrations, and a tribal brand market, the event created a distinctive program that brought together cultural exchange and everyday aesthetics. Many visitors stepped into the museum and experienced the charm of Taiwan’s diverse ethnic cultures in the most relaxed and enjoyable way.
Hui-Hua Chien, Director of the Museum of Fiber Arts, Taichung, stated that a museum is not only a static exhibition space, but also an important platform that connects local culture, everyday aesthetics, and public exchange. This year’s International Museum Day coincided with the special exhibition "Mar’iang! Dialogues in Stitching: Cross-Stitch Cultures of Southern Taiwan Plains Indigenous Peoples". The museum specially brought together handmade brands, selected foods, cultural exhibitions, and music performances from different Indigenous communities and creators. The hope is to invite the public to enter the museum during the weekend and then move from the exhibition space into the tribal market, where through relaxed exchange and hands on experiences they can see the innovative forms of Indigenous culture in contemporary life.
The "Mar’iang! Tribal Market" featured a rich and diverse program. Starting at 9 a.m. on May 17, the first 100 visitors who completed the designated check in task received a NT$100 market voucher, drawing many people to line up early in the morning. Following the warm up concert that opened the event, Hung-Kun Tuan, Chairperson of the Siraya Tribe Development Promotion Association of Tainan City, gave a keynote lecture titled "Similarities and Differences in the Clothing Culture of Plains Indigenous Peoples", offering an in depth sharing of the clothing culture and historical context of Plains Indigenous communities. The event also included a tribal exchange gathering, an Indigenous music concert, cross-stitch craft demonstrations, and a waltz performance, presenting through different forms the appeal of the intersection between traditional culture and contemporary art.
In addition to the exciting program, the venue also featured a wide range of distinctive booths offering handmade cultural and creative goods, weaving crafts, tribal selections, fashion apparel, and lifestyle brands. Visitors could stroll through the market while listening to music and enjoy a weekend experience that combined cultural richness with a soothing atmosphere in a space infused with the spirit of fiber art.
The museum explained that "Mar’iang! Dialogues in Stitching: Cross-Stitch Cultures of Southern Taiwan Plains Indigenous Peoples" will remain on view through September 6. The exhibition presents 21 precious collection objects related to the Siraya, Taivoan, and Makatao peoples, along with 14 recreated cultural and creative works and creative pieces from Indigenous communities. In addition, in conjunction with International Museum Day, the museum is also holding the "Explore MOFiA and Check In for a Gift" activity. Visitors who tour the exhibition on Saturdays and Sundays in May and complete a photo and Facebook check in may show their phone screen at the service counter to redeem a small gift. Twenty gifts are available each day while supplies last. For more information, please visit the official website of the Museum of Fiber Arts, Taichung (https://mofia.taichung.gov.tw/) and its Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/mofiataichung/).