The first 228 and Human Rights Memorial Hall will be opened in Beidou, Changhua. Wei Ming-ku, the Magistrate of Changhua, first announced the news that the county will be establishing the first 228 Memorial Hall in Beidou Provincial Chief’s Residence when participating the 228 Memorial Day activities in 2017. Now, in the eve of 228 (February 28), his promise has comes true. On the morning on the 27th, the opening ceremony was held at the Beidou Provincial Chief’s Residence. Acting on behalf of Magistrate Wei Ming-ku, Chen Wen-pin, the Director of Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau participated in and hosted the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony and the first exhibition is themed “1947: Nostalgia and Innovation” – a new generation art exhibition in memory of 228. It opens from 9:00am-4:00pm, Wednesday to Sunday. It closes on Monday and Tuesday. For appointment to visit please call 0912-771609. Visitors taking public transportation can take bus routes 6881 or 6882 operated by iBus or Yunlin Bus and get off at Beidou Police Station. The address of the memorial hall: No. 18, Dizheng 2nd Lane, Beidou Township. Welcome all visitors.
Director Chen expressed that the first 228 and Human Rights Memorial Hall was officially opened on February 27, 2018, actualizing Magistrate Wei’s policy. In the past, there was no memorial hall or monument regarding 228 Incident. Therefore, Magistrate Wei suggested transforming the historic building in Changhua “Beidou Provincial Chief’s Residence” into the 228 Memorial Hall. In the opening ceremony, young installation artists were invited to create their artwork. In the memorial hall, the historical documents, especially those in Beidou area and the history of Changhua, about the 228 Incident happened in Changhua are exhibited. More importantly, the photos of the movements on the rehabilitation of the 228 Incident in Changhua in the 1980s are displayed.
Director Chen pointed out that after the grand opening, he will invite a professional team to work in the museum. At the same time, it will collaborate with the high school and elementary principals around Beidou actively to allow Beidou Provincial Chief’s Residence become the classroom of local folklores by opening it to the public. At the same time, he expects young people to learn more about the events that happened in Changhua during the 228 Incident and the promotion and protection of human rights in the county from the exhibitions in 228 Memorial Hall. Hopefully, they can better understand the local history of Changhua.
“Beidou Provincial Chief’s Residence” is an important piece of historic architecture, occupying the area of 185 ping of land. The floor area of the main building is about 61 ping. In the past, it was the residence of Beidou Provincial Chief during the Japanese Occupation era. After control of Taiwan was given to the R.O.C., it had been inhabited by different officials and administrative in different periods. Maintained in good condition, it still retains its former Japanese style. It was completed refurbishment in August 2016. In the future, it is expected to become a base for the education of human rights and the collection of historical materials about the 228 Incident. In addition to making history complete, it allows our descendants to understand the history of the 228 Incident and treasure the peace and democracy we worked hard to achieve. Promoting racial integration, we work towards the goal of establishing the concept of human rights.
As a local institution in Changhua County, the 228 and Human Rights Memorial Hall recalls the common value of “transitional justice”. At the same time, it works with the change of time, the shift of generation, and the social environment. Matching with the ways works are exhibited in the hall, the first exhibition is themed “1947: Nostalgy and Innovation” – an art exhibition of a new generation of art in memory of 228 will combine the memories of the past generation with the perspectives of the younger generation. Likewise, visitors can re-consider the meanings and values of human rights and peace.
In addition, props used in human rights movements in Taiwan over past years are displayed in the exhibition space; for example, action play props, cosplay props, decorations, posters of activities, propaganda, banners and more to present the diversity, liberty, fullness, and creativeness of the human rights and social movements. At the same time, in July and August, it is scheduled to exhibit images on 80’s Taiwan social movements in; in September and October, photo exhibition and seminars on human rights in Changhua. Presenting diverse activities, welcome people to visit us.
The guests participated in the ceremony included Councilor Hsiung Yi-feng, Principal Li Pi-yao of Beidou Junior High School, Principal Lin Min-tzu of Beidou Elementary School, Principal Hsu Mu-tsun of Luo Ching Elementary School, Commander Yeh Ching-tien of the Fourth Fire Brigade of Changhua Fire Department, legislators and councilors, representatives from schools of different levels, and local esquires.
Source: Changhua County Government’s website
Contact: Division Chief Lin, Changhua County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau (04-7250057 Ext. 185)
