National Folk Song Competition Held in Kaohsiung, Over 13,000 Teachers and Students Compete in 4 Language Categories

This year's National Folk Song Competition for Teachers and Students, organized by the National Taiwan Arts Education Institute and co-hosted by the Kaohsiung City Government Education Bureau, commenced today and will run until the 15th in Kaohsiung. A total of 13,433 teachers and students will take the stage, divided into four major language categories: 'Taiwanese Hokkien and Matsu,' 'Hakka,' 'Indigenous Taiwanese,' and 'Southeast Asian languages.'

Wu Xiaoxia, Director of the Department of Teacher Education and Arts Education at the Ministry of Education, stated during the opening ceremony that mother tongues are the roots of culture and the cornerstone of national diverse development. The folk song competition connects melody and emotion, transforming language into vibrant artistic expression, extending local language learning from textbooks into life.

Wu Xiaoxia mentioned that the competition showcases the efforts of teachers and students in jointly researching lyrics and traditional singing techniques. This is not just a competition but the most vivid practice of multiculturalism. She looks forward to every participating teacher and student shining on stage, displaying the colors and glory of their respective ethnic groups.

The Ministry of Education points out that to promote the beauty of folk music, the competition is open to the public for viewing during the event. Citizens are welcome to visit the Kaohsiung Municipal Social Education Hall Auditorium. The top-tier teams that win the competition will perform publicly across the country, sharing local culture with more people. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150408