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Chinese中文
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| From Forest to Ocean – Promoting Outrigger Canoes and Maritime Culture |
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Why handcraft boats in an era of technology? Yvonne Chiang, who passionately dreams of reviving maritime culture, explains, “Imagine a day when the Tao people of Orchid Island no longer make their traditional boats, or when farmers stop planting and all we have left are neatly packaged, ‘nutritionally balanced’ products. What kind of cultural heritage would we leave to the next generation?” This maritime heritage dates back over 4,000 years to Taiwan’s prehistoric inhabitants. With exceptional
seafaring skills, they frequently travelled between nearby islands, spreading Austronesian languages. Taiwan, therefore, became the cradle of the Austronesian language family. Read more.
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The Alliance Cultural Foundation:
Commemorating its 15th Anniversary through the release of the “Focus Taitung” Docuseries
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This December marks the 15th anniversary of The Alliance Cultural Foundation (ACF). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the people who have supported the sustainable development of Hualien and Taitung (Huatung). It is through your trust and companionship that we have been able to journey this far.
Two years ago, The Alliance Cultural Foundation International (ACFI), in collaboration with ACF, began planning the “Focus Taitung” docuseries. Through 15 captivating episodes, the series documents the stories of the people dedicated to this land. These include preservers of indigenous culture, champions of local revitalization, and talented musicians and artists, among others. Living amidst the simplicity of life and the abundance of nature, they use their hands and ideals to create value. These stories offer a fresh perspective on Huatung, showcasing its diversity, resilience, and path toward becoming a
beacon of civilization.
Special thanks to ACFI for sponsoring the production of this series. Eight episodes have been released so far, with more inspiring stories on the way. We invite you to experience the vibrancy and emotional depth of Huatung’s way of life. Watch the docuseries here.
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The Alliance Cultural Foundation:
Volunteer Reunion Marks the Kick-off of the 2025 Huatung Choir Camp
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The 2025 Huatung Choir Camp began with a reunion of former volunteers on November 16. This year’s camp leaders, Leo and Byron, provided a detailed outline of the 2025 camp schedule, emphasizing that volunteer attendance and active participation are essential to building a strong team connection. They encouraged volunteers to contribute wholeheartedly, working together to ensure the camp’s
success.
This year’s camp adopts the theme of the American musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” focusing on the themes of adolescent loneliness and emotional support. To equip volunteers for the camp, the organizing team has prepared foundational training courses on engaging with youths and specialized guidance for supporting participants with special needs. These initiatives aim to enable volunteers to provide appropriate assistance whenever campers require it.
Finally, the camp leaders introduced a buddy system pairing experienced and new volunteers. In this system, 31 seasoned volunteers will guide 29 newcomers, fostering a spirit of mutual support and creating a safe, welcoming team environment.
We warmly invite passionate university students to become part of this meaningful experience! Join the 2025 Huatung Choir Camp volunteer team by registering here before January 12, 2025.
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Junyi School of Innovation:
Learning from the Mountains – Cross-Disciplinary Empowerment |
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To advance exploratory education and enhance high-altitude knowledge and skills among teachers and parent volunteers, Junyi School of Innovation organized a “High-Altitude Basics and Cross-Disciplinary Empowerment Workshop” on November 23-24. Led by Teacher Katu and supported by a team of cross-disciplinary individuals – Teachers I-Ling, Shang-Yue, Supau, Rahic Sra and Simon the workshop welcomed over 20
teachers and parent volunteers.
Set in the 2,850-meter-high Xiangyang Mountain area, participants engaged in outdoor risk management training, observed geological phenomena, and learned about the Taguan Mountain incident and the history of the police patrol trails under the Japanese rule. Activities also included a scenic walk along a trail of pine and Taiwan cypress trees and lessons in mountaineering cooking, integrating opportunities to enhance English and Chinese language skills.
Teacher Katu encouraged participants to empathize with the challenges children face when stepping out of their comfort zones and learning from the mountains. These include confronting fears and uncertainties, fostering mutual support and shared responsibilities within groups, and experiencing firsthand that exploratory education is an art. The workshop deepened participants’ understanding of Junyi’s mountain-based outdoor education under its guiding principle of finding oneself through exploring life in the wilderness.
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Junyi School of Innovation:
6th Grade Astronomy Class |
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To satisfy 6th graders’ curiosity about exploring the world, Junyi invited FunSky, an astronomy education group, led by Teacher A-Wei, to guide students and teachers in crafting their own planispheres and learning techniques for autumn
stargazing.
The class began with a screening of the movie Moana, a story about the protagonist bravely setting sail into the unknown on a canoe. This inspiring tale sparked the students’ interest in the stars and navigation. The teacher then introduced traditional navigation techniques and shared information about the Hawaiʻian Hōkūleʻa canoe fleet, which is expected to pass through Taiwan in 2027. The students learned about Taiwan’s significance as a cultural origin point for Austronesian languages, whose ancestors embarked on great voyages guided by celestial navigation.
Finally, the students made their own planispheres, which allowed them to observe the changing night sky through the seasons and determine the timing and direction of sunrise and sunset. In the evening, they used their planispheres to locate the autumn constellations assigned by the teacher, experiencing the joy and wonder of stargazing.
See more photos of astronomy class here.
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