by Project Student, Rita
Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages' University Social Responsibility Practice Program, "OUR TOWN Community Sustainable Cross-Domain Collaborative Platform Project”has initiated various collaborative communities this semester.The "Cultural Experience Design Community" has planned two themed activities for this session. With the theme "Stories of the Old Town Gate," this event provides participants with a hands-on experience to explore the historical tales of the Old Town gates. Through collaborative brainstorming, participants will generate creative handmade projects inspired by the "Old Town gate" concept. This event not only imparts historical knowledge but also fosters creativity and engagement.
In our first session, we collaborated with Kaohsiung Cultural Association and invited Manager Chen Zhenrong to deliver a presentation at Wenzao. To kick off the event, Manager Chen made a humorous entrance as a "Qing Dynasty officials," instantly capturing the audience's attention. Through his engaging lecture, participants were transported back in time to the old city a century ago, gaining a deeper understanding of its culture and historical context. Manager Chen provided a detailed introduction to the four main gates of Zuoying: the North Gate, South Gate, West Gate, and East Gate. While the West Gate no longer exists today, remnants of its structure remain for research and visitation. Additionally, Manager Chen explained the historical context of the Town’s construction. For example, due to the Zhu Yigui Rebellion in 1722, residents of old Zuoying built the first earthen wall to defend against invaders and protect their homeland. However, as the earthen wall was repeatedly breached and became unusable, the government and local residents raised funds to rebuild the wall with stone, resulting in the structure we see today.
Having been enthralled by the stories of the Old Town gates, participants engaged in a hands-on craft activity. They created miniature replicas of the North Gate by assembling different components. The finished product, a pen holder adorned with the inscription "Gongchenmen,"(means Stars around the North Star) served as a tangible representation of the original gate. This activity provided participants with a unique opportunity to appreciate the historical and practical significance of the North Gate while having fun. By engaging in this hands-on experience, participants deepened their understanding of Zuoying's local culture and the stories associated with the Old Town gates.
The second session focused on "Design and Ideation," where participants expanded on the Old Town gate concepts from the previous activity. Working in groups, they presented their projects: "Old Town gate picture frames" and "Lintel Stones". The picture frames were created using wooden boards cut into the shape of the Old Town gates, and participants added their own unique embellishments. They also shared their inspirations and personal connections to the North Gate, infusing their designs with personal stories. The "Lintel Stones" displayed various inscriptions found on the Old Town gates, such as "Fengyi Gate."(the East gate) Inspired by a group member's experience with lintel stone rubbings, the group provided insights into the four gates, deepening participants' knowledge.
Through thematic activities, hands-on experiences, and group design projects, this program aims to spark participants' interest in the history of Zuoying old town gates. By encouraging active engagement and creativity, we hope to foster a deeper appreciation for local history and culture. Ultimately, we strive to revitalize the development of old Zuoying through these efforts. In this semester's "Cultural Experience Design" event, we will continue to collaborate with local community organizations and professional historians to develop a diverse range of engaging activities.
Manager Chen Zhenrong explains the story of the old Zuoying Gate.
Participants engaged in a creative experience by making a city gate pen holder.
During the second session, participants showcased the lintel stone rubbings.
The entire community of members and project team members taking a group photo.
