Tainan Girls' Honor Guard Visits Kyoto for Exchange, Music Bridges Youth Friendship Between Taiwan and Japan

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, June 9, Special Correspondent Dai Yazhen) Youth exchanges between the two historic cities of Tainan and Kyoto have added a new chapter. The honor guard of Tainan Girls' Senior High School (Tainan Girls' High School) traveled to Kyoto, Japan, from the 5th to the 10th to participate in a high school exchange event, performing alongside students from Kyoto Koka High School. Through exchanges in music, honor guard performances, and dance, students from Taiwan and Japan showcased their youthful vitality on stage, creating unforgettable memories for each other. This exchange concert was organized by the Japan-Taiwan Welcome Executive Committee and co-organized by the Tainan City Taiwan-Japan Cultural and Friendship Exchange Foundation. Foundation Chairman Li Tuizhi stated that Tainan and Kyoto both possess profound cultural heritage. Since signing an exchange promotion agreement in 2021, both sides have continuously deepened friendship through educational and cultural activities, and youth exchange is a crucial foundation for future cooperation between the two cities. During the concert on the 7th, Kyoto Koka High School presented programs rich in Japanese characteristics, including koto music, taiko drums, and wind instrument performances, showcasing campus artistic energy that blends tradition and modernity. Tainan Girls' High School performed several pieces including "Sold Out," "GOOD TIME," "Just Together," "Rice Fragrance," "Always With Me," and "Golden," earning warm applause from the audience with their energetic performance style. The most eye-catching segment was the program combining honor guard performances. Students demonstrated high默契 (tacit understanding) and team spirit through synchronized formation changes, flag team displays, and rhythmic music accompaniment. Since honor guard culture is relatively rare in Japan, many Kyoto audience members found it quite novel and were deeply impressed by the outstanding performance of the Taiwanese students. At the end of the concert, students from both schools jointly performed "Sorry for Being Cute" and "Wind of Provence," incorporating dance choreography. From rehearsals to the actual performance, Taiwanese and Japanese students practiced together and interacted, not only cultivating excellent默契 (tacit understanding) but also building cross-border friendships through the collaborative process, making this concert not just a performance but a valuable cultural exchange experience. In addition to the musical exchange, the delegation visited Kyoto City Hall today to pay a courtesy call on Kyoto Vice Mayor Yoshida Yoshihiro, exchanging views with representatives from the Kyoto City Government and City Council on topics including youth education, culture and arts, and city exchanges. Foundation Honorary Chairman Kuo Chen-hui specially prepared Tainan Yongkang's famous "Xishi Fruit Pastry" as a souvenir, hoping to introduce Kyoto friends to Tainan's cultural customs and food culture through this traditional pastry full of local characteristics. The teachers and students also visited the Kyoto City Council to learn about Japan's local self-government system and council operations. Through field visits and cultural experiences, they not only broadened their international horizons but also deepened the friendship between Taiwanese and Japanese youth. (Editor: Chen Huiping) 1150609