The 1st A(rt)life Festival, under the HACK-KA project organized by the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC), is taking place in central Taipei’s Alife WCH from December 23, 2023 to January 22, 2024. HAC Deputy Minister Chou Chiang-chieh invites everyone to slow down and savor the romantic Hakka elements that abound in our daily lives every bite, every sip, everywhere.
The name of the project, “HACK-KA”, is made up of the words “Hack” and “Hakka”. Inspired on the idea of “living space, gallery”, the artwork Plastic Circles (塑圓, suyuan) by Hakka artist Fay Yang is on display at the walls of the Alife WHC double bedroom. Plastic is weaved into shapes resembling tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), persimmons, and other common imagery and staples in Hakka culture. It reminds us to cherish both resources and company: “圓”, yuan, symbolizes the gathering of people around a table, hence the symbolism of tangyuan, too! The A(rt)life book selection shines the spotlight on literary works by Hakka authors of various eras, enabling us to understand various perspectives. You can even take one of these books with you when checking out, so you can read it slowly back in your day-to-day life. The A(rt)life vicinity map offers a comprehensive guide of the nearby area, recommending everything from temples to coffee shops. It also comes with a free combined ticket for four of Taiwan’s national museums.
15 package tours will be made available for the A(rt)life Festival. People can sign up for free and those who register successfully can bring one partner to enjoy two days and one night of slow living at Alife WCH on the chosen date. Every lucky A(rt)Lifer can redeem the following before the prescribed deadline: One night at the double bedroom in Alife WCH, two specialty curry dishes at Suzaku Curry Shop, two Hakka-flavor hand-shaken drinks at Planté, two limited-edition Hakka mountain kumquat sauce beers, two Hakka selected books, and two combined tickets for four of Taiwan’s national museums. Sign up at Accupass: https://reurl.cc/N4jDpn.
Artistic and cultural events will be held at the 1F Aplace during the festival, with three main themes: literature, art, and music. Hakka poet Chang Fang-ci will guide readers to appreciate the beauty of Hakka poetry. Hakka artist Fay Yang will lead participants to use different materials and create their own artworks with colorful Hakka elements. As for the music event, ChuNoodle, Taiwan’s only Hakka clarinet choir, will offer a performance at the same venue. You are invited to come and enjoy slow living, surrounded by the romance of Hakka culture!
