The 2026 Taichung Military Dependents' Village Culture Festival took place from October 9 to 11, moving this year to the plaza of Taichung City Seaport Art Center. The festival featured exciting performances by the Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe, Taiwan Youth Wind Orchestra, Myth Magic Theater Troupe, and Momo's Family, along with family activities, hands-on workshops, and themed markets. It also connected with the “Xinshengshe Military Dependents' Village Life Festival” at the Taichung Military Dependents' Village Museum in Beitun District and “A Treasure Trove of Everyday Life: Modern Living with Military Village Flair” at Yide Mansion. Visitors were invited to “watch performances, hear stories, make crafts, and explore markets” while discovering Taichung's military dependents' village heritage and revisiting its everyday memories and cultural significance.

Deputy Director-General Chun-Fu Shih of the Cultural Affairs Bureau said military dependents' village culture goes beyond old photos and historic buildings. It also includes the everyday traditions of food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and recreation. As urban renewal and redevelopment gradually erase the distinct character of former military dependents' village communities, this year's festival adopted the theme “Beyond the Village: Unpacking Everyday Life”. Through performances, stories, games, and food, it invited visitors to rediscover how military village culture lives on today and continues to grow beyond its original communities.

In addition to the exciting performances, the Cultural Affairs Bureau teamed up with former military dependents' village residents, local community groups, and school clubs to offer hands-on activities such as shadow puppetry, paper airplanes, bamboo dragonflies, puzzles, and knot tying. These activities gave visitors a glimpse of how children in the last century made toys and games out of simple, everyday materials, finding creative ways to have fun despite limited resources and without modern electronic devices. The booths not only caught children's attention but also brought back fond memories for older visitors, who eagerly shared childhood stories and tales of their youthful adventures with their children and grandchildren. The traditional toy painting activities were especially popular. With battling tops making a comeback, visitors could decorate their own spinning tops, practice their spinning skills, and challenge children to friendly battles across generations.

The interactive dragon dance experience organized by the Qingshui District Boai Care Association also drew a crowd. Secretary-General Yu-Lan Wang recalled seeing military dragon dance teams perform during Lunar New Year and other major celebrations when she was young. These performances left lasting memories for everyone who grew up in military dependents' villages. Mr. Lin, who joined the dragon dance activity, said he had only watched dragon dance performances on the streets before and never imagined he could operate a dragon on his own. Trying it for the first time made him realize how much skill was involved while bringing back happy memories of childhood celebrations.

This year's activities were just as exciting at the original military village site. Artist Liang-Chih Ko visited the fenced area along Zhenzheng Road at Qingshui Military Dependents' Village Cultural Park for his “Replication and Deviation” metal sheet writing project, helping preserve the site's cultural memories. Yanba Creative Arts Space, the team operating the former clinic at Qingshui Military Dependents' Village Cultural Park, also presented “Military Village Movie Nights”. Outdoor screenings were held at 7 p.m. on October 9 and 10, featuring two classic Mandarin-language films, “The Clown and the Swan” and “Winter Break”. With food trucks on site, visitors could enjoy movies and delicious food under the stars, spend a relaxing autumn evening, and relive the fond childhood memories of outdoor cinema.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government said the Taichung Military Dependents' Village Culture Festival brings together local communities and cultural heritage groups to make history part of everyday life again. Through a wide range of hands-on activities, the festival strengthens connections between generations and brings military village culture back into people's lives. The festival also featured market stalls and activities where visitors could complete designated tasks to redeem limited-edition gifts. Everyone was invited to enjoy the charm of military village life and the warmth of neighborhood friendships during the National Day long weekend. For more event details, please visit the Taichung City Seaport Art Center website (https://tcsac.taichung.gov.tw/), the Taichung Military Dependents' Village Museum Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/go.tmkvm/), or the Yide Mansion Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/YideMansion/).