Pingtung Tobacco Factory Hakka Hall New Exhibition: Literature Meets Photography to Interpret 21st Century Hakka Culture

The Pingtung Tobacco Factory Hakka Hall held its opening tea party today. Curator consultant Chung Ping-lan stated in her address that Hakka literature, for Hakka people, is a cultural rebirth. Writers, with their keen observations, give new meaning and value to ordinary life, leading people to explore their own history and culture. She cited Tseng Gui-hai's poetry collection "Homeland. Night Blooming Cereus" as an example, where concise verses outline Hakka characteristics such as loving floral scents, diligence, and valuing education. She hopes that through this special exhibition, more people will see outstanding Pingtung writers and their works, and consequently value Hakka literature and culture.

Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi stated that Pingtung has eight Hakka townships, including the well-known Liudui settlements, which have long nurtured rich literary creations. The county government, through this exhibition, transforms the Hakka settings depicted in literature into concrete images, inviting the public to enter the exhibition hall, start from literature to understand Liudui, get closer to Hakka culture, and feel the cultural heritage of Pingtung.

Among the 20 participating writers, Chen Kai-lin, born in 1988, is the youngest. She stated that her exhibited works mainly come from her essay collection "The Countless Me and Her," which describes memories with her grandmother. Her grandmother married into Xinpi and became a Hakka daughter-in-law, learning Hakka crafts and traditions, with the text describing scenes of making "fengrou" (braised pork). Another work describes "Daguo Cuo" in Jian'gong Village, showcasing the local characteristic landscape of becoming rich through watermelon cultivation. She hopes that through writing, she can tell more people about her hometown.

Pingtung County Government Hakka Affairs Department stated that the exhibition presents the geographical features of Pingtung's Hakka settlements, nestled by mountains and waters, divided into three areas: "One Mountain, One Water, One Hakka," "Beautiful Times: Life, Local Customs, Food Memories," and "Graceful Encounters: Quiet Reading, Resonant Hakka." In addition to literary and photographic works, it also draws inspiration from Hakka proverbs, nature, architecture, and food to design stylish graphic elements, making Hakka culture more accessible and appealing to younger generations.

The Hakka Affairs Department stated that the 20 participating writers include Chung Li-ho, Tseng Kuan, Tseng Gui-hai, and Li Yu-fang, spanning nearly a century, with their writing covering eight Hakka townships in Pingtung County, representing a rare large gathering of Pingtung Hakka writers. Among them, musician Yen Chih-wen and photographer Chiu Tsai-yen are even more rarely participating with their writings, depicting their hometowns from different creative perspectives. The special exhibition runs from March 28 to December 6, and simultaneously updates the immersive content of the permanent exhibition, showcasing a new look for the Hakka Hall. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150409