Indigenous People Commission

2023 Taipei City Indigenous Culture Festival—Indigenous Taipei Fabulous Taipei

Let’s Enjoy Indigenous Peoples Showing Their Charm on Indigenous Culture Festival

　　According to the “Friendliest Cities in the World” announced by the UK insurance company of William Russell in December, 2022, Taipei ranked ninth in the world, and first in Asia. Taipei shows tolerance for diverse ethnic groups and cultures, and people with different nationalities, ethnic backgrounds and genders can live and develop in the city freely, which is one of the reasons why people around the world like it.

　　Taipei would not be able to rise to be an international city today without the efforts of indigenous peoples from all over Taiwan and contributions they have made in the past several decades. Indigenous peoples from other places settle down in the city and introduce the wonderful cultural deposits of their tribes to the bustling metropolis, gradually making Taipei a new hometown with diversity and cultural competency.

　　The events of Taipei City Indigenous Culture Festival are the most significant ones of indigenous peoples in Taipei City, and the festival attracts numerous foreigners, Taiwanese, and indigenous peoples to attend as it presents the diverse cultures and rich looks of indigenous peoples, which is highly praised. This year’s Taipei City Indigenous Culture Festival will extend the theme of “Indigenous Taipei Fabulous Taipei” of 2022, and the popular “3rd Linban Singing Contest” will raise the curtain on the culture festival.

　　On September 16, the 3rd Indigenous Linban Singing Contest which is also a highlight of this year’s event will be held at the open-air theater of Daan Park. “Linban songs” originated in the 1960s when economic growth in Taiwan took off. At that time, indigenous peoples helped open mountains and forests which lasted for around 20 years. In their free time, they sat in a circle, eating, drinking, and singing. Being accompanied with the guitar, they sang about their depression and nostalgia hidden in their hearts. Many impromptu songs have turned into songs which are frequently heard and can be repeated in detail. This is the origin of “Linban songs.”

　　Moreover, themed activities of 2023 Taipei City Indigenous Culture Festival will be held at the Flower Plaza of Taipei Expo Park on October 14. In addition to spectacular singing and dance performances, you can visit a wide variety of indigenous stands at the bazaar, and enjoy the richest indigenous cultures to your heart’s content with traditional food, indigenous art, and handicrafts. The last but the best event of the entire culture festival is the “National Indigenous Games” held in Tianmu Sports Park on November 4, and indigenous athletes from all over Taiwan are invited to participate in the grand sports event exclusively for tribal people. Furthermore, citizens are able to enjoy the charm of colorful cultures of indigenous peoples while participating in cheerful and exciting games!