by Rita Lin, 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. Among them, the "Cultural Experience Design Community" team is fortunate to collaborate with the Kaohsiung Cultural Association, inviting Manager Chen Zhenrong to co-organize this event.
The event will be held in four sessions on October 30, November 13, November 27, and December 18. Each hands-on experience activity incorporates elements from four dimensions of "History," "Humanities," "Attractions," and "Industrial Development" in the local area of Zuoying. The goal is for participating students to gain a deeper understanding of the history of the Zuoying Old Town through experiential learning. The featured activity for this event is the "Aroma Stone Amulet," with Manager Chen providing the origin story behind the handmade work - "Zenyang and Shrine Sites." Manager Chen informed the students that the name "Zenyang" originated from the suicide attacks carried out by Japan in the late stages of World War II. Deploying special attack units, known as the Zenyang Squadron, to counter US warships, led to the establishment of a shrine in Zuoying, Taiwan. The site was discovered in September 2013. The amulet, in Japanese shrines, is a small item used for prayer. Several students expressed that this historical context left a profound impression on them during this activity, deepening their understanding of the local history and evoking a sense of connection to the Zuoying area.
In addition, the project team invited Teacher MoMo from "Gengxin Handicraft Workshop" to introduce the production method of aroma stones. The teacher carefully explained the materials, steps, preparatory knowledge, and usage of making aroma stones, enabling students to easily operate and get hands-on experience.There was a lot of interactions between teachers and students during the process. Some students shared that seeing the "Old Town gate" pattern on the aroma stone after demolding was quite delicate and very story-telling, believing that the value and significance of the finished product go beyond the sense of accomplishment. Other students also expressed that their overall sense of participation was elevated, finding the combination of storytelling and hands-on activities educational and enjoyable. Many eagerly expressed their desire to participate in similar activities in the future.
The first event of the "Cultural Experience Design Community" has successfully concluded, and the following three events will bring even richer content in culture, history, and handicrafts! "OUR TOWN Community Sustainable Cross-Domain Collaborative Platform Project," will continue to collaborate with on-campus students, clubs, professional lecturers, and community units from various locations to plan and design a variety of cultural and historical experience activities, expanding the scope of social responsibility practices.
The host introduced the activity and the identity of the lecturer at the beginning.
Participants cooperated with each others and enjoy the handmade exprience
Participants shared their thoguhts after handmade exprience
At the end of the event, the speaker took a group photo with the participants and members of the planning team.
