It is a common childhood memory that there was always a vender selling dough figurines under the stage of Taiwanese opera. The time has long gone and this traditional craft has distanced away from our lives without us being aware of it. It is now only seen in special time and space. Come to Lukang Old Street, we will bring back your childhood memory.
Traditional folk art dated back to the ancient times
The history Tang Dynasty recorded: artificial flowers, fruits, and flour figurines are put on the altar as offerings, alongside the seats for the banquet and the variety of sumptuous fruits. In the Song and Yuan Dynasties, flour figurines were often displayed in the larger banquets before the feasts were served. And in the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty period, dough figurine crafters were often seen carrying a small chest with a long rack filled with colorful dough figurines in the forms of human figures, insects, and birds. In late Qing Dynasty and early Republic Era, dough figurines marched into the towns and cities with more diversified forms. Figurine masters carried a chest and traveled through the streets and alleys to bring the children colorful and delightful treats. The dazzling colors were imprinted in the memories of the children and they still talk about today after long years have passed by.
Funny figures loved by the children
The dough was made from a mixture of glutinous rice powder and flour, and colored in an array of saturated tints and shades. The traditional themes ranged from the funny Monkey King and Pig Marshal to the solemn image of Guanyin Bodhisattva. When this craft came to the modern time, children's favorite cartoon figures, Mickey Mouse, Doraemon, Donald Duck, and Pikachu, were added into the lineup. The colorful and funny figurines are always the most dazzling items that attract everyone's attention in an event.
Dedicated to cultivating cultural talents! Nan Guan and Bei Guan Center was inaugurated in 1999, and it houses rare information pertaining to traditional music, as well as related CD, image appreciation and display areas. The information and books are available for loaning by the public. Besides functions such as exhibition, performance, research, promotion, and friendship, the venue also carries out missions such as academic research, cultural heritage, counseling, and traditional music.
In 1987, a study group was formed, followed by the Nan Guan and Bei Guan Experimental Bands in 1996 and 2000 respectively to proactively train a large number of cultural talents in the field of folk art.
Chinese garden with community spirit! With splendid exterior and ancient Chinese garden-style architecture, the overall space incorporates the main building, garden landscape, and outdoor stage etc. There are exquisite tile mosaic artworks create by the community residents in the square, endowing the Nan Guan and Bei Guan Center with community spirit and vitality. A tremendous amount of attention has been paid to the museum in terms of details, spatial design, and construction.
An outdoor stage for more entertainment! The outdoor stage mimicking traditional architecture is suitable for Nan Guan and Bei Guan performances. The stair-like audience seating arrangement is complemented by the garden landscape to creating a more entertaining environment.
Celebrate and appreciate the beauty of traditional music!
Every year, the Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau invites Nan Guan and Bei Guan musicians from all over the country to celebrate the birthdays of Meng Chang, the founder of Nan Guan, Marshal Tiandu, the founder of Bei Guan and Xi Qin Wang Ye. Besides honing their skills by competing with one another, the public can also appreciate the beauty of traditional music and folk art.
