The “North America Taiwan Pingtung Community Association” held its 21st annual meeting on April 28. Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi led the “Hengchun Folk Art Troupe” to perform and entertain the audience with the touching story and enchanting music of the “Hengchun Folk Music Drama” during the Asian Heritage Month in the United States. Through these performances, the group conveyed the rich cultural heritage of Taiwan’s century-old folk songs, allowing the world to experience the authentic cultural vitality of Taiwan’s land and the unique charm of Hengchun folk music.
Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi expressed that Hengchun County is situated at the southernmost tip of Taiwan. This time, the troupe with seven performers (including six grandmothers and one grandfather) came to New York, an international stage, to showcase the unique artistic style of Hengchun folk music. In order to preserve the precious traditional musical and cultural assets, the county government is constructing the Hengchun Cultural Center Folk Music Museum, set to be completed soon. This will serve as an important base for performances, creativity, and the cultivation of folk music talents. She extended her gratitude to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, Taipei Cultural Center in New York, and the North America Taiwan Pingtung Community Association for their joint support of this cultural exchange.
Director of the Pingtung County Government’s Cultural Affairs Department Wu Ming-rong stated that the distinctive music style and cultural significance of Hengchun folk songs reflect the history, customs, and cultural spirit of the Hengchun Peninsula. It is hoped that this event can lay a solid foundation for future cultural cooperation and bring Taiwan to the world stage, promoting the international recognition of Pingtung folk music culture.
President of the North America Taiwan Pingtung Community Association Ting Zuo-hui expressed optimism for the exciting performance by the folk art troupe. He thanked the community members for their support and active participation in this rare cultural feast, witnessing the splendid collaboration of tradition and modernity. As part of the evening program, entertainment acts were arranged along with a rich array of exquisite gifts for a lucky draw, including gifts brought by County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi, round-trip tickets from China Airlines and EVA Air for flights between New York and Taipei, as well as red envelopes.
On April 30, the “Hengchun Folk Art Troupe” will participate in the Asian Heritage Month activities organized by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, performing the folk music drama “Echoes of the Peninsula Winds” with actors from three generations—elderly, middle-aged, and young. They will engage in cultural exchange with arts and cultural organizations in New York.
The performances of the “Echoes of the Peninsula Winds” folk music drama by the Hengchun Folk Art Troupe were showcased in Michigan on April 27 and will continue with the second performance in New York on April 30 as part of the Asian Heritage Month activities. During these performances, the artists, including the 77-year-old performer Huang Que-yin, 76-year-old performer Zhang San-mei, as well as two 13-year-olds Ye Xing-zhen and Pan You-ren, will display the profound cultural heritage of Pingtung folk music. Their dedication to the transmission of folk music culture is expected to leave a lasting impression on the New York audience, with a blend of joy and tears in the music stories, leaving attendees of the North America Taiwan Pingtung Community Association annual meeting eagerly anticipating and stirring up nostalgic sentiments among overseas Taiwanese.
Congresswoman Grace Meng, New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim, New York City Council Member Sandra Ung, Deputy Director Chang Chun-yu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, Director Chen Yong-feng of the New York Chinese Cultural and Educational Services Center, Chairman Chen Qiu-gui of the Pingtung Community Association, and over 200 community members, heads of major overseas organizations, among others, attended the annual meeting.