Compass Magazine,August 2003

2003 Taichung Season of Culture: 'Childhood Times' focuses on children's literature in August

       The Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau is sponsoring a "Childhood Times" series of children's literature activities for the 2003 Taichung Season of Culture. These exciting events will take place at the Taichung City Department of Education's Multifunctional Exhibition Hall this summer from August 16 to 31. The special literary category of children's literature targets young readers ages 3 to 15.

       The City of Taichung is known as Taiwan's "Culture City", thanks to its large reading, creative population. Thus, event organizer Grace Studio will explore the nature of childhood and respect for children's independent freedom in the children's literature production theory, "Fun of Games". The "Childhood Times" series of activities are designed with the feelings, thoughts, psychological responses, and principles of children in mind, with the hope of passing on the cultural essence of Taichung.

       Event activities include: the Children's Literature Playhouse, a children's reading materials exhibition, children's play performances, and a children's recorded books and film exhibition. The presentation takes nursery rhymes, children's poems, stories, myths, fables, fairy tales, plays and picture books and combines them with games and art (including the fine arts, music, dance and theater) to expand methods of promoting children's literature and books. It is hoped that increased excitement, fun and surprises will result in a creative integration for a comprehensive children's literature. It is also hoped that both adults and children visiting the Department of Education's Multifunctional Exhibition Hall will be able to savor literature and relive their childhoods with literary wings.

Activity Highlights:
       Aug. 16 (10-11:30 am)--'Childhood Times' Opening Ceremony; 'Fairy Tale Combo' performed by Taipei Ta Feng Music Theater in opera format; 'Governess' Embrace' Taiwanese opera by teacher Chien Shang-ren.
Aug. 16-31--'Children's Reading Festivity' exhibition of children's reading materials; 'Travel Across Taichung on Wings of Imagination' Children's Literature Activity Exhibition; 'Play With Literature' Exhibition of children's literary games; 'Childhood Passions' lectures on children's literature.
Aug. 30 (2, 4 pm), Aug 31 (10:30 am, 2 pm)--'Children's Party Festivity' Children Literary Theater Performance Tour, 'Legacy of Sun Moon Lake' performed by Taichung's Open Theater.
Aug. 31 (10-11:30 am)--'Childhood Times' Closing Ceremony, 'Childhood Flavors' by Open Theater, 'Wings of Literature' child writers recitation with music/dance performances.

Location: Department of Education Multifunctional Exhibition Hall (81, Taichung Gang Rd., sec. 2, corner of Taichung Gang and Wen Shin rds)
Information: (04) 2220-9972; http://www.tccgc.gov.tw/report/2003-children-lit/