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The Overseas Chinese Culture, Old Western-Style Buildings, and Everlasting Sentiment Towards "Luofan" in Kinmen

The history of "Luofan," which refers to the “emigration of young people from Kinmen to Southeast Asia between 1860 and 1950” in Kinmen dialect, has been promoted by the Kinmen National Park Headquarters. With a total area of approximately 150 square kilometers, the Kinmen Islands are home to around 161 western-style buildings. Notably, the Western-style buildings in Shuitou Village (also known as the “Huan-a-lau”) have been preserved in their original state, substantially contributing to the promotion of the traditional settlements, Minnan culture, and overseas Chinese culture in Kinmen. The Ouyang Zhong Ocean Building, built in 1918, was the first foreign-style building in Kinmen. In the early days, many Kinmen residents left their homes due to the lack of resources on the islands and emigrated to Southeast Asia in search of better job opportunities to provide their families with a better quality of life. However, success did not come without significant efforts and sacrifices. The prevalent saying of “10 left, 6 died, 3 stayed, and 1 returned” that resonated during the time, as well as the Western-style buildings marking and symbolizing the hard-working nature of the people of Kinmen all testify to the commitment and devotion they held while striving for a better future away from home. The Kinmen National Park Headquarters has compiled extensive historical and cultural documents as well as relevant data collected through field studies. By displaying a variety of artifacts related to overseas Chinese culture in the Deyue Tower and raising questions such as “How did Kinmen people reach Southeast Asia?”, “What kind of jobs were offered in Southeast Asia?”, and “How did the people positively impact their hometown?”, the headquarters aimed to fill the hearts of visitors with lasting memories. The Western-style buildings in Shuitou Settlement are a symbol of the culture of Kinmen’s hometown of overseas Chinese. “The Story of Luofan,” an environmental education course was also designed for elementary school students from fourth to sixth grade by the Kinmen National Park Headquarters. The course introduces the children to the unique Kinmen history of Luofan and guides them in understanding the struggles faced by those working away from their homes and missing their loved ones, encouraging them to embrace the courageous spirit of those from the past. In 2011, a team traveled all the way to Malaysia to conduct research on the first generation of overseas immigrants from Kinmen after 1860 for The Quest, a documentary produced by the Kinmen National Park Headquarters, featuring Hui-Ming Chang as the producer and Chen-Yu Tang as the director. By adeptly reviving memories held by the older generations, the documentary touched the hearts of countless Kinmen residents, receiving the Platinum Remi Award in the Culture Category at the 45th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. When The Quest was screened in Kinmen, many sat with tears in their eyes as an indelible mark got imprinted in their hearts, struck by the calm yet compelling narrative that said, “Back then, before they left, it never occurred to them that their destination would one day become their new home. Instead of returning to its original roots, the fallen leaf took root in a different place and grew into another tree.” The Financial Management Office held an outdoor screening. When the documentary "Lost" was screened in Kinmen, Resonating with the life history of every household. Since 2023, the Kinmen local theater troupe “Kinmen Horseshoe Crab Troupe” has been commissioned to perform “Luofan Qing” in the villages, where local residents showcase Kinmen's historical narrative through their theatrical performance. The plot, which includes the challenges and deep longing for their hometown of people during the Luofan period, have been woven with moments of tears and laughter, creating a valuable perspective on past experiences. The Financial Management Office invited the local theater troupe Limu Troupe to perform the stage play "Love in Fall" in various settlements. With the trend of globalization, in which immigration and immigrants have become the norm, Kinmen’s unique history of Luofan has been incorporated into education materials for culture asset preservation, and has also inspired people from Taiwan or even travelers from all around the world to appreciate the bond they share with their hometown, bringing Kinmen closer to the pulse of the world. Kinmen's unique "History of Luofan" cultural assets can not only inspire the residents of Taiwan, but It can also give travelers from all over the world a sense of connection with their hometown.
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NP quarterly

Cover Story:Power of Interchange

403 Three months after the Hualien earthquake, the National Parks Department took stock of the damage in Taroko National Park and stated on July 18 that Taroko, Chang Chun Temple, Bulo Bay, Tianxiang and other places can be partially reopened by the end of this year. , but less than a week after the news was released, Typhoon Kemi hit Hualien again with astonishing rainfall, and more serious or new collapses occurred in Taroko National Park, especially in the original Rouchang The condition of the broken trail has also become more severe. Taiwan, which has always coexisted with natural disasters, has experienced it particularly vividly this year, which also prompts us to think about the significance of this uncontrollable and unavoidable huge natural force to people. This special report invites colleagues from the Taroko National Park Management Office, who were on the front line to guide and rescue the trapped people during the earthquake, to share their thrilling moments; Professor Li Guangzhong, who has lived in Hualien for many years and has implemented plans for the Taipei Management Office, is also invited , share how to re-examine the relationship between earthquakes in Taroko and earthquakes in people, and use Take the Sanriku Renaissance National Park established after the 311 earthquake in Japan as an example, which serves as a guide for the reconstruction of Taroko National Park. When talking about vigilance, fear and active response to earthquakes, we cannot fail to mention the "massive earthquake in the Nankai Trough". After the March 11 earthquake in 2011, the Japanese government not only began to explore the complexity of super-giant disasters, but also faced the possibility of Japan encountering a huge earthquake along the Nankai Trough based on research and investigation, and then established the "Nankai Trough Giant Earthquake Model Seminar" in August of the same year ” to fully prepare for super giant disasters that may come at any time. Since it is predicted that a tsunami of more than 10 meters will occur on the Pacific coast of Japan, which will eventually kill more than 320,000 people, the Japanese government and private organizations have used various methods such as publicity, education, and drills over the years to reduce the risk of earthquakes, tsunamis, and fires. , the harm caused by social paralysis. Following the example of Japan, can the aftermath of the 403 Hualien Earthquake also make us ask ourselves what preparations we should make in the face of future disasters?
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September 2024

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