[TheEpochTimesNovember192024](The Epoch Times reporter Li Xieying reported in Chiayi, Taiwan) Picture books shoulder the responsibility of cultural inheritance. In order to let the first and second grade children of elementary schools better understand the old house power of Chiayi Mudu, Chiayi City The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Government planned to publish the picture book “Chiayi Wood Language: The Adventures of a Baseball Boy in the Forest”, and held a picture book reading session in the Children’s Reading Room of the Cultural Affairs Bureau on November 16, 2024. In the Little Teapot Children’s Theater Troupe, Teacher Lin told wonderful stories During the performance, the children followed the cute baseball boy in the book, learned about every detail of Chiayi Mutu and the Old House, and spent a happy afternoon.
Chiayi Mudu Old House (provided by Chiayi City Government)
Chiayi Mayor Huang Minhui expressed that she looks forward to letting more people know about the “Old House Power” project through the picture book “Chiayi Wood Language: The Adventures of a Baseball Boy in the Forest”. Old House Power not only changes the urban landscape, but also shapes old-age houses. The cultural atmosphere of loving wooden houses has made more than 6,000 old wooden houses in Chiayi City an important asset of the entire city. It is the second humanistic forest in Chiayi City.
Chiayi Wood Language: A baseball boy’s adventures in the forest picture book. (Provided by Chiayi City Government)
Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Xie Yuzhe, said that the Old House Power Project was successfully revived this year. It not only held the Old House Power Sustainable Innovation Proposal Competition to make Chiayi City visible to the whole country, but also introduced the latest wooden structure design and technology to preserve the energy of old houses and improve it; We will take root in the city and let the first and second grade children of elementary school get to know Mudu Chiayi through picture books. We hope to plant the seeds of loving the wood and loving the old house in the hearts of the children, and they will recognize and cherish this rare cultural asset.
The picture book reading session started happily at 3:30 pm in the Children’s Reading Room of the Cultural Affairs Bureau. More than 50 parents and children participated. Everyone followed the “Mudu Opera” of the Little Teapot Children’s Theater Troupe and had a great time getting to know Chiayi Mudu. The protagonists in the picture book story, the little boy, the Alishan Chrysanthemum Essence, the little pig and the little monkey, made the children happy with their vivid performances and dialogues. They also took this opportunity to get to know cryptomeria, camphor wood, cypress, etc., as well as Chiayi. The result of Mudu’s old house strength. After the play, teacher Xiao Liju told the finishing touch of the story “Chiayi Wood Language: A Baseball Boy’s Adventures in the Forest”, and also led everyone to make small toys with popsicle sticks. The children watched, listened and did it, and were super happy.
The children happily watched the show and spoke Chiayi dialect. (Provided by Chiayi City Government)
The Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that “Chiayi Wood Language: The Adventures of a Baseball Boy in the Forest” begins with a cute little boy breaking a wooden door because of playing baseball. In his sleep, the Alishan Xiaoyou Chrysanthemum Essence leads the little boy up the mountain to find wood, thus getting to know him. Various tree species and learn about the origin of Chiayi Mudu’s “second humanistic forest”. After waking up from the dream, the little boy found a carpenter to repair the wooden door and received a “ruler” as a gift.
The children happily watched the show and spoke Chiayi dialect. (Provided by Chiayi City Government)
In the future, the picture book “Chiayi Wood Language: The Adventures of a Baseball Boy in the Forest” will be included in the Chiayi Municipal Library for citizens to borrow. At the same time, the Cultural Affairs Bureau also plans to donate it to every elementary school in Chiayi City so that children in lower grades can read it and cultivate their understanding of the book from an early age. A sense of identity with the land. ◇
Editor in charge: Tang Yin
How can storytelling, through mediums like picture books and theater, enhance children’s understanding of cultural heritage and its importance?
As the website editor for world-today-news.com, I would like to discuss the importance of cultural heritage and the preservation of traditional architecture with our special guests. Firstly, Ms. Huang, Mayor of Chiayi City, can you tell us more about the significance of preserving old houses and traditional wooden structures within the city? How do you think this project has impacted the local community and the cultural identity of Chiayi?
Secondly, Mr. Xie, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, could you share your thoughts on the role of education in promoting appreciation for cultural heritage? In particular, how do you think the picture book “Chiayi Wood Language: The Adventures of a Baseball Boy in the Forest” contributes to this effort?
we have the honor of welcoming Teacher Lin from the Little Teapot Children’s Theater Troupe. Your performances have been instrumental in introducing young children to the wonders of Chiayi Mudu and its old houses. Could you share with us some of the challenges you face in engaging with such a young audience and how you overcome them? Moreover, what message do you hope children will take away from this experience?
