In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on local culture, with a particular emphasis on the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Taiwan. In August, the Learning Youth Hub, a program under the Youth Development Administration, MoE, conducted a series of local courses centered on the theme of “Writing about Places.” These courses aimed to encourage young individuals to explore their local communities in greater depth and document valuable stories that deserve to be preserved for future generations. Participants were guided to utilize traditional tools such as paper, pens, as well as modern audio-visual mediums to capture these narratives.
Mingalarpar Studio organized a project called “Food Translation in the South Seas: Food Interview Editing.” The project aimed to provide participants with hands-on experience in conducting fieldwork interviews with new immigrant communities. Additionally, participants learned valuable writing techniques for food articles and gained insights into the editing process of food magazines. They also had the opportunity to practice translating local cultural knowledge into illustrations. The project's main goal was to accumulate materials and perspectives on the unique characteristics of the neighborhoods. Ultimately, participants aimed to master the entire set of processes and skills involved in food interview editing.
The “Curating on Paper, Self-Publishing on the Ground: Self-Publishing Workshop in Old Town” organized by Happen Taiwan is a unique opportunity to learn about self-publishing. In this workshop, experienced instructors will share their knowledge and expertise in editing photography books, magazines, and journals. Participants will have the chance to explore the local neighborhoods and engage in immersive learning activities. Through these hands-on experiences, they will be guided in creating their own zines as self-publishers. The workshop aims to help participants transform their local insights into tangible materials that can be exported to paper. Ultimately, the goal is to foster an interest in self-publishing books. The program delves into the enjoyable aspects of self-publishing physical books.
Yuanli Hi Home incorporates multimedia materials in the courses “Gods and Ghosts of Temples and Alleyways” and “Sound Notes in a Small Town.” Participants in the program not only have the chance to delve into the Daxi Chingdian Organization and document local folk beliefs and temple culture through writing, but they also have the opportunity to learn the basics of sound collection. They will develop an understanding of soundscapes and utilize bicycles and their own feet to explore and record the local soundscapes. Sound will serve as a medium for capturing the essence of the surroundings. Additionally, participants will acquire the skills to utilize sound as a medium for capturing narratives that showcase the various landscapes found within the Garden.
The course “Marketing in the Hometown: A Village for Newcomers,” created by Yilan Lane Goldfish Space, aims to provide valuable insights into marketing. Accomplished experts in the field will be invited to share their techniques for marketing local products or services in their hometowns. The course specifically targets young individuals who are returning to their hometowns and taking over their family businesses. By digitally transforming traditional industries, the course aims to help participants create a marketing model that aligns with modern consumer habits.
The Youth Development Administration aims to inspire trainees through these programs to deepen their understanding of Taiwan's local culture, foster their interest and writing skills in documenting local communities, and equip them with the necessary skills to actively participate in local initiatives. Through thorough investigation and hands-on experience, participants will have the chance to delve deep into their own perspectives. They will then be able to effectively convey their understanding and experience of the local community through various mediums such as words, images, and sounds. By sharing this knowledge with the outside world, they will contribute to the development of the local culture, infusing it with fresh energy.
If you have a deep connection to the land beneath your feet and would like to share your feelings with others, we invite you to register on the official website of the Youth Hub （https://changemaker.yda.gov.tw/Lesson）. To secure your participation, a refundable deposit of $500 is required, which will be returned upon completion of the training. By joining us, we can collaborate in writing about this place and capturing the beauty of this land together.
Happen Taiwan Students act as self-publishers, stimulating creativity and producing authentic paper works under the guidance of the lecturers
Yuanli Hi Home Exploring Yuanli with bicycle and feet, listening to and recording the soundscape of Yuanli.
Yilan Lane Goldfish Space Instructors led participants to DIY a straw broom developed by the team.