New Taipei Tung Blossom Festival Kicks Off for 29th Year, Combining Flower Appreciation with Hakka Cultural Inheritance
The New Taipei Hakka Tung Blossom Festival, now in its 29th year, commenced in Tucheng District. Wu Ke-Neng, Secretary-General of the Hakka Affairs Council, emphasized the event's goal of preserving Hakka language and culture. Mayor Hou Yu-Ih and New Taipei City Hakka Affairs Department Director Liu Kuan-Yin attended, with activities including ecological tours, art performances, Hakka cuisine, craft experiences, and 33 hiking sessions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 14:06
- 🔍 Collected: April 18, 2026 at 14:31 (25 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 14:33 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Huang Hsu-Sheng, New Taipei, 18th) The New Taipei City Hakka Tung Blossom Festival has entered its 29th year, kicking off today in Tucheng District. Wu Ke-Neng, Secretary-General of the Hakka Affairs Council, stated that holding the Tung Blossom Festival in Hakka villages, in addition to appreciating flowers and being grateful for the abundance bestowed by the mountains and land, also aims to pass on Hakka language and culture through the event.
The 2026 New Taipei Hakka Tung Blossom Festival opened today at MRT Haishan Station Plaza. The weather was good, and many parents and children enjoyed stage performances, DIY experiences, and interactive games. Mayor Hou Yu-Ih, Hakka Affairs Council Secretary-General Wu Ke-Neng, New Taipei City Hakka Affairs Department Director Liu Kuan-Yin, and other department heads attended wearing traditional Hakka Tang suits.
Wu Ke-Neng delivered his entire speech in fluent "Sixian accent" Hakka, stating that tung oil trees were originally economic crops for extracting tung oil, but after industrial transformation, events were held due to the beautiful mountain scenery. The change from "Tung Blossom Festival" to "Tung Blossom Ceremony" is mainly to thank the mountains for nurturing tung oil trees and nourishing the people. He joked that when he organized the event 20 years ago, he was a section chief with black hair, but now his hair is as white as tung blossoms.
Wu Ke-Neng stated that in addition to subsidizing parent-child activities, the Hakka Affairs Council hopes to pass on the Hakka language, especially emphasizing that "speaking Hakka is a matter of pride." He praised Hou Yu-Ih for speaking a few appropriate Hakka phrases and also revealed that he is not Hakka himself, but can speak Hakka at various occasions, saying, "Speaking Hakka is not a very difficult thing, and I hope it can continue to be passed on."
Wu Ke-Neng's speech received warm applause from the local residents. Wu Tsung-Jen, Secretary-General of the city's Hakka Affairs Department, who was also present, is not Hakka but self-taught and passed the Hakka language certification.
Hou Yu-Ih stated that the New Taipei Tung Blossom Festival attracts people to the mountains to appreciate flowers every year, and also drives local tourism and industrial development. He hopes that through this, people can learn about the Hakka way of life and culture.
Liu Kuan-Yin said that since the "Tucheng Chaoshang Tung Blossom Festival" in 1997, it has entered its 29th year. Through ecological guided tours, cultural and artistic performances, Hakka cuisine, and craft experiences, the event is not limited to flower appreciation. Starting tomorrow, there will also be 33 hiking sessions, combining the promotion of Leave No Trace principles for environmental sustainability. (Edited by Li Hsi-Chang) 1150418
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(Central News Agency reporter Huang Hsu-Sheng, New Taipei, 18th) The New Taipei City Hakka Tung Blossom Festival has entered its 29th year, kicking off today in Tucheng District. Wu Ke-Neng, Secretary-General of the Hakka Affairs Council, stated that holding the Tung Blossom Festival in Hakka villages, in addition to appreciating flowers and being grateful for the abundance bestowed by the mountains and land, also aims to pass on Hakka language and culture through the event.
The 2026 New Taipei Hakka Tung Blossom Festival opened today at MRT Haishan Station Plaza. The weather was good, and many parents and children enjoyed stage performances, DIY experiences, and interactive games. Mayor Hou Yu-Ih, Hakka Affairs Council Secretary-General Wu Ke-Neng, New Taipei City Hakka Affairs Department Director Liu Kuan-Yin, and other department heads attended wearing traditional Hakka Tang suits.
Wu Ke-Neng delivered his entire speech in fluent "Sixian accent" Hakka, stating that tung oil trees were originally economic crops for extracting tung oil, but after industrial transformation, events were held due to the beautiful mountain scenery. The change from "Tung Blossom Festival" to "Tung Blossom Ceremony" is mainly to thank the mountains for nurturing tung oil trees and nourishing the people. He joked that when he organized the event 20 years ago, he was a section chief with black hair, but now his hair is as white as tung blossoms.
Wu Ke-Neng stated that in addition to subsidizing parent-child activities, the Hakka Affairs Council hopes to pass on the Hakka language, especially emphasizing that "speaking Hakka is a matter of pride." He praised Hou Yu-Ih for speaking a few appropriate Hakka phrases and also revealed that he is not Hakka himself, but can speak Hakka at various occasions, saying, "Speaking Hakka is not a very difficult thing, and I hope it can continue to be passed on."
Wu Ke-Neng's speech received warm applause from the local residents. Wu Tsung-Jen, Secretary-General of the city's Hakka Affairs Department, who was also present, is not Hakka but self-taught and passed the Hakka language certification.
Hou Yu-Ih stated that the New Taipei Tung Blossom Festival attracts people to the mountains to appreciate flowers every year, and also drives local tourism and industrial development. He hopes that through this, people can learn about the Hakka way of life and culture.
Liu Kuan-Yin said that since the "Tucheng Chaoshang Tung Blossom Festival" in 1997, it has entered its 29th year. Through ecological guided tours, cultural and artistic performances, Hakka cuisine, and craft experiences, the event is not limited to flower appreciation. Starting tomorrow, there will also be 33 hiking sessions, combining the promotion of Leave No Trace principles for environmental sustainability. (Edited by Li Hsi-Chang) 1150418
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
FAQ
What is the main purpose of the New Taipei Tung Blossom Festival?
The main purpose is to inherit Hakka language and culture through flower appreciation and to promote local tourism and industrial development.
How many years has the Tung Blossom Festival been held?
This year marks its 29th year.