Spring in Taitung: Taitung Slow Food Festival, Picnic & Music Festival, Challenge Taiwan
In spring, people travel great distances to reach Taitung, drawn by the call of its fields, tides, lakes, kitchens, and ocean. Three upcoming events in Taitung echo this invitation – the Taitung Slow Food Festival held by the Chenggong Seaside Park from April 19–20, the Picnic & Music Festival taking place by Chishang's Dapo Pond on April 26, and the international triathlon event, Challenge Taiwan, from April 26–27.
Some answer the call through a shared meal; others, through music or a shared passion for testing their physical limits, drawing the community closer together. Beyond tourism, those who live here believe that slowing down and staying grounded with the land is a way of life worth practicing. Read more.
The Alliance Cultural Foundation: Island Life Co-Learning Group learns the Austronesian Wisdom of the Outrigger Canoe
For its February course, the Island Life Co-Learning Group invited Yvonne Chiang, founder and steerswoman of the Taiwan Outrigger Canoe Club, along with her team, to guide them in experiencing the outrigger canoe and to explore the seafaring wisdom and cultural richness of the Austronesian peoples.
This early style of boat, characterized by its use of outriggers to connect multiple hulls, is designed to withstand long-distance travel and rough sea conditions. It was a crucial tool for Polynesian migration and trade. Each part of the canoe carries symbolic meaning – the bow (manu ihu) represents forward movement and leadership, the main hull (kino) symbolizes the human body, the internal struts (pepeiao), meaning “ears,” serve as a reminder for voyagers to listen to nature; and the stern (manu hope) symbolizes the nurturing and supportive power of women.
During the course, participants learned paddling techniques and navigation skills, and experienced firsthand the team dynamics of synchronizing pace, generating propulsion, and making strategic decisions as steersperson. Through this, they gained a deep understanding of how Austronesian peoples embraced unity and cooperation to live in harmony with the ocean and nature.
The Alliance Cultural Foundation: Supporting Vocational Education at Kung-Tung Technical Senior High School
In 2025, National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism (NKUHT), Kung-Tung Technical Senior High School (KTTSHS), and ACF joined forces to launch a western culinary and pastry program focused on practical training, emphasizing skill enhancement and alignment with market demands.
The program follows the successful model established at National Cheng Kung Commercial & Aquaculture Senior Vocational High School. It was taught by Professor Lai Ku-Hsien from the Department of Food and Beverage Management at NKUHT, along with two assistant instructors, with Director Chiang Yueh-Ying of KTTSHS’s Department of Culinary Arts leading the revision. The program consisted of six lessons and a final showcase. The first lesson welcomed 20 students and 2 department heads, covering technical training and ingredient preparation. Students discovered that Western cuisine demands attention to detail and patience, while also emphasizing teamwork and communication skills.
Between 2012 and 2015, ACF had previously introduced external resources to work alongside KTTSHS in developing innovative programs in carpentry, mold processing, and green architecture, while also facilitating internship opportunities in the industry. The current collaboration between KTTSHS’ culinary department and NKUHT continues the foundation’s long-standing commitment to supporting vocational education.
Junyi School of Innovation: 6th Grade Spring Pop-Up Market – Math Beyond the Classroom
As the “Math in Business” theme came to a close, Teacher Zong Chih organized a unique and lively spring pop-up market on campus, allowing students to experience the practical application of math through hands-on activities.
The pop-up market took place during the extended recess period and buzzed with excitement. Within 30 minutes, students transformed into young entrepreneurs working in groups to discuss product ideas, handcraft their goods, and manage their own stalls. They learned to calculate costs, set prices, and record income and expenses, gaining firsthand experience of how math is used in life.
In Waldorf education, sixth graders begin to turn their gaze toward the world, and business math becomes one of the ways to understand how life operates. Throughout the course, Teacher Zong Chih emphasized thinking about value and money, guiding students to realize that our lives depend on the contributions of many, and that economic activity begins by recognizing the needs of others.
When the class discussed how to use the surplus income, the students decided to donate 10% (about NT$1,000) back to the school, and use the remainder to cover personal expenses for their upcoming cultural and historical study trip to Kaohsiung. This spirit of gratitude and generosity made the learning experience even deeper and more meaningful.
Junyi School of Innovation: 9th Graders’ 16km Challenge Climbing Xiangyang Mountain
From March 21 to 23, Grade 9 students embarked on a three-day, two-night journey that tested their physical limits and resilience, while marking an important milestone on their path to maturity.
Amid a powerful cold front in March, the group set out from the Xiangyang Visitor Center campsite, taking on the challenge of a 16-kilometer round-trip day hike to Xiangyang Mountain. On the day of departure, a week of rain finally gave way to perfect weather – the northern Yushan (Jade Mountain) and Beidawu Mountain, 75 kilometers to the south, were both clearly visible. The snowfall from the recent cold front transformed the landscape into a dreamy winter scene, adding a touch of wonder to their hike.
Upon returning to camp that evening, the students were surprised with handwritten letters from their parents. The warmth, love, and encouragement in each word moved many to tears. This final chapter of their Grade 9 outdoor exploration journey not only revealed their newfound courage and maturity, but also served as a celebration of the growth they’ve experienced over the past three years. With the support and blessings of their families, they are now ready to take on the next stage of life – preparing for the high school entrance exams and stepping into their next chapter as high school students.
