by Rita, Project Student
Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages' University Social Responsibility Practice Program, "OUR TOWN Community Sustainable Cross-Domain Collaborative Platform Project" has opened various co-creation communities this semester. This community event collaborated with Professor Li Yijing from the Spanish Department. We specially invited Mr. Wang Huangqiwei, from Exploring Takao, to guide the students and teachers of Wenzao University through a local walking tour. The main destination was the Old Yancheng District, with a focus on exploring the historical development during the Japanese colonial period. Throughout this journey, we also had the opportunity to discover many unique shops and delicious local snacks in Yancheng. In addition to listening to local historical stories, indulging in the culinary delights added a diverse and enriching atmosphere to the entire event.
"Yancheng," as the name suggests, was once a salt field. However, during the Japanese colonial period, the salt fields were filled in, transforming the area into a new coastal land. Due to its proximity to the seaport, the economy flourished, making Yancheng a bustling urban center. During the event, Mr. Huang led us through various streets and alleys, where we observed many distinctive features typical of Japanese architecture, such as curved corner buildings or guardhouses to prevent robbery. Additionally, Wenzao students and teachers visited the main commercial district at the time, the International Mall (formerly known as Takao Ginza). In the 1940s and 1950s, this area was very prosperous, selling many imported goods and symbolizing the economic prosperity of Yancheng. The Yamagata wooden structure of the "First Public Market of Yancheng" and the ubiquitous terrazzo were also characteristic features of the Japanese colonial period architecture. After government environmental refurbishment, local youth were invited to settle in, breathing new life into this over seventy-year-old building.
Finally, everyone arrived at Yamatsuya to experience the making of Dà Yú Qí (There’re pictures of fish and sea on the flag) postcards. The cultural team was established in 2016, consisting of Taiwan's new generation of artists, designers, and writers, dedicated to community development and social practice. They pay special attention to the revival of Kaohsiung's traditional fishing culture, particularly the Dà Yú Qí culture. This experience allowed us to handcraft the silk-printed patterns on the postcards. Students and teachers eagerly and joyfully engaged in the activity, gaining a deep understanding of the cultural value and importance of heritage preservation associated with this craft.
The "Cultural Experience Design Community Event" successfully concluded, and in the future, we will continue to organize a variety of activities combining cultural history, handicrafts, and site visits. We hope these activities will provide participants with unforgettable experiences and inspire more people to invest in caring for local communities, collectively creating a sustainable future.
Mr. Wang Huangqiwei, from Exploring Takao, introduced the development history of Yancheng.
Students visit the International Mall.
Ms. Hong from Yancheng First Public Market shares her story.
Students and teachers engaged in the silk-printing production of Dà Yú Qí postcards.
