A cultural and commerce park planned for Taitung City will promote indigenous businesses while showcasing the arts and cultures of the area's seven major indigenous groups, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said today during an inspection of the project's selected site.
The park, to be built by the Taitung County Government with NT$250 million (US$8.3 million) in funding from the Executive Yuan's Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP), will be located near Tiehua Village in the heart of Taitung City. It will offer business incubation and product merchandising services to help indigenous artists bring their designs to market. These facilities are expected to increase the production of original indigenous works and showcase Taitung's cultural diversity.
The premier said Taitung boasts many fine hostels and artist workshops that exhibit the energy of the indigenous people. Their songs, dances and extraordinary artwork are all national treasures. The premier pledged the central government's full support to making Taitung a popular destination for not only Taiwanese holidaymakers but also Southeast Asians and Austronesians in search of their indigenous roots.
The premier is in Hualien and Taitung for two days for a close-up look at the area's indigenous cultural and tourism industries. Earlier today, the premier stopped at the Atolan tribe for an in-depth cultural experience, trying his hand at craft-making at a workshop owned by artist Siki Sufin.
Later, the premier visited CIP Minister Sun Ta-chuan's mother, who is 100 years old. Together they sampled millet wine and toured traditional Puyuma houses. Mrs. Sun presented the premier with a handmade wreath and wished him health and longevity.