The 2023 Hakka Expo opened officially on August 11. Lalai, or Taoyuan Indigenous Music Festival, is one of its major events, connecting Hakka, Hokkien, and indigenous cultures through music to promote cross-ethnic and cross-cultural dialogue. It also showcases the cultural diversity characteristic of the Hakka Expo. Chou Chiang-chieh, Deputy Minister of the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC), visited the Taoyuan Sunlight Arena on the evening of August 27 to delight in multi-ethnic musical performances alongside the public.
HAC stated that this year’s Hakka Expo is showing the world a re-flourishing of Taiwanese Hakka culture, yet it also features literature, art, and music by different ethnic groups. It allows visitors to learn about the history of the Hakka and other peoples in an inclusive and interactive way. The aim is to help younger generations accept and acquaint themselves with Hakka culture. The Hakka Homage to Indigenous Peoples event series has been held for four years already. Centered on implementing multiculturalism, Lalai seeks to integrate Hakka, indigenous, and Hokkien cultures to help different parties better understand the significance of interethnic relationships and lead the whole of society to pay more attention to the transmission of ethnic minority languages and their cultural identity.
The Taoyuan Indigenous Music Festival, Lalai, took place on August 27 as a major event of the Hakka Expo. It gathered the Hakka and Hokkien cultures with performances by indigenous artists as the centerpiece. Performers included popular figures and Golden Melody Awards winners like Ozone, Gina’s Can, Henry Hsu, and Shou, as well as special guests Ponay and Saya Chang. Yuan Ling Artist Dance Company, Love of the Sun Choir from Taoyuan City’s Qiao-Ai Elementary School, and AmuBwiy Puing Culture Arts Group put on a street danceLalai, Major Event of the Hakka Expo Taoyuan Indigenous Music Festival Demonstrates Indigenous-Hakka Unity
This year’s Hakka Expo is the world’s first exposition centered on Hakka culture. It is running for 66 days from August 11 to October 15, with the Taoyuan Sports Park A19 station on the Taoyuan Airport MRT serving as chief exhibition venue. It is divided into the World Pavilion and Taiwan Pavilion, as well as 8 secondary pavilions and 17 satellite exhibition areas. Everyone is welcome to visit and experience the diversity and vibrancy of Hakka culture. For more information, please visit the Hakka Expo website and Facebook fanpage.
