Grassroots vitality of Taiwan
Taiwan has been promoting the development of community culture for 20 years now, and the grassroots vitality of such communities has begun to shine.
Tugou Community, a small rural village in Tainan, has been transformed into a unique "rural art museum" after a 12-year operation by young community developers. Now, a Taiwanese sense of unpretentious beauty radiates from every corner of Tugou.
Villagers display their creativity
Hou Jia-fu, an award-winning stone sculptor, has set up a studio on a rice paddy field in Tugou Community. He has the ability to transform any river rock into a unique statue of the Monkey King.
85-year-old Chen Yueh-hsia is an untrained artist whose passion for art is reflected by her numerous paintings on the wall. She even refitted an old pigsty to use as her personal art studio.
Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai:
I am very pleased to be here, and I am extremely impressed by Tugou's beauty and purity. Seeing members from younger generations such as these students from art colleges who’ve added their aesthetic values to the village, I’m delighted that they’ve stayed here and became locals rather than forcibly trying to change the village culture. I am touched.
New prospects and players
Tugou's community classroom, which was once a large pigsty, now serves as an information center for local residents. As part of the program’s 20th anniversary, the Ministry of Culture invited over 10 community developers from around the country to share their experiences in Tugou.
Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai:
When we return to Taipei, we will draft a cheat sheet
This cheat sheet will help introduce a lot of info that can help local communities
There are many people here who are unfamiliar with the resources offered by the Ministry of Culture’s Department of Art Development
This cheat sheet will outline work areas, subsidies, and relevant Q&As
This will help community developers better understand how to use our resources
For example, the Ministry offers micro loans
Those who want to apply for funds for community development shall receive the backing of the Ministry and the full cooperation of banks
Those communities that hope to connect with their international counterparts will also find suitable programs outlined in this cheat sheet
New prospects and aspirations
Tugou Community now shines with a new vitality made possible by young developers and locals who’ve returned to their hometown. The Ministry of Culture will continue to encourage more cooperation among such local villages, and establish a nationwide network that will cultivate the grassroots spirit and vitality of the Taiwanese people.