Chiayi City GovernmentChiayi City Government

Chiayi City Marks 200-Year Swing Festival Tradition with Taiwan–Japan Cultural Exchange   Post Date: April 18 Civil Affairs Department / Tourism and Information Department The Chiayi City Swing Festival—one of Taiwan’s most distinctive folk traditions, often mentioned alongside the northern sky lanterns and southern beehive fireworks—was held on April 18 at the Wudang Xuantian Shangdi Temple in Guanglu Neighborhood, marking more than two centuries of cultural heritage. Mayor Huang Min-hui attended the event with the city government team, joined by Chiayi City Council Speaker Chen Zi-wen and council members, to offer prayers for peace and prosperity. The festival brought together participants across generations, competing in both skill and courage atop a 12-meter-high bamboo swing structure. This year’s festival also marked a meaningful moment of international exchange, welcoming a delegation from Kumamoto City, Japan, led by Director of Education Endo Hiroshi. Experiencing the event for the first time, the delegation expressed astonishment and praised the experience as truly unique. Mayor Huang noted that the festival traces its origins back more than 200 years to the Qing Dynasty, when early settlers in the Guanglu area faced drought and disease. According to local tradition, residents constructed bamboo swings and performed ritual swinging ceremonies following divine guidance from Xuantian Shangdi to pray for protection and relief. After the crisis subsided, the practice evolved into a recurring event held around the deity’s birthday in leap years. Since 2008, the festival has been held annually, following traditional divination rituals, as part of the city’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage and promote religious tourism. Now officially registered as a folk cultural heritage of Chiayi City, the festival stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to preserving intangible cultural assets. Mayor Huang emphasized that international participation not only highlights Chiayi’s cultural identity but also supports the continued transmission and revitalization of its traditions. According to the Civil Affairs Department, the swing structure is built entirely using traditional techniques. Standing 12 meters tall, it is assembled with bamboo and rattan bindings without the use of nails or screws. Materials are carefully selected and crafted by skilled artisans, preserving knowledge passed down through generations. The city government has also produced educational content documenting the festival’s origins and construction methods to strengthen its cultural and educational value further. The festival features individual and team competitions across multiple age groups, as well as a women’s experience category. In addition to the high-swing contests, the event includes community markets, public outreach booths, and performances by schools and local organizations, creating a vibrant setting that integrates tradition, sport, and community engagement.  

2026 Chiayi Arts Festival to Open in May with Citywide Events and Digital Integration   Post Date: April 17 Cultural Affairs Bureau / Tourism and Information Department The annual 2026 Chiayi Arts Festival will take place from May 1 to May 31, presenting a citywide cultural program under the theme “Bloom.” Mayor Huang Min-hui attended the launch press conference, noting that this year’s festival integrates performances, exhibitions, and public engagement, blending urban cultural spaces with interactive experiences. This year’s program features a diverse lineup of performances, including a 10th anniversary concert by Chiayi-based band Amazing Show (Mei Xiu Group), as well as productions by the contemporary circus troupe FOCASA. The festival also introduces a collaboration with the mobile application Pikmin Bloom, launching the “Pikmin Bloom Mini Walk” experience, which connects digital interaction with on-site exploration across the city. Mayor Huang emphasized that arts and culture are key to urban vitality. Building on last year’s foundation, the festival highlights how Chiayi’s cultural energy continues to evolve, with activities taking place throughout the city. Through this integrated approach, art becomes part of everyday life, encouraging residents and visitors to engage with the city through participation and exploration. The festival also brings together markets and exhibitions across multiple cultural venues. The Chiayi Coffee Festival, held at Chiayi Park in early May, will feature more than 150 local and international brands, serving as the opening highlight of the festival. Additional themed markets will be held at the Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park, while exhibitions and programs will be presented at venues including the Chiayi Art Museum, Chiayi City Museum, Chiayi Literary Museum (Dongmen Township 1923), and Ximen Innovation Hub. Music performances will serve as a central component of the program. In addition to the anniversary concert by Amazing Show (Mei Xiu Group), the closing weekend (May 30–31) at Cultural Park will feature a two-stage program with over 15 performing groups. These include FOCASA, the multidisciplinary performance group A_Root, and the production team behind the musical adaptation of “The World Between Us,” presenting live performances that combine music, movement, and interactive elements. During the festival, participants can use Pikmin Bloom to interact with designated locations and collect exclusive in-game items, further integrating digital experiences with urban exploration. Additional details will be released through official channels. In addition, a themed installation, “Bloom: Before Bloom,” will be presented at Chiayi Railway Station, Chiayi Art Museum, and Cultural Park. Through visual and interactive design, the installation reflects the process of cultural accumulation and transformation. According to Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Hsieh Yu-che, the festival is designed not only as a series of events, but as an ongoing cultural process embedded in daily life. By connecting diverse programs across the city, the initiative highlights how culture can be experienced through everyday participation. The Chiayi City Government invites residents and visitors to take part in the festival throughout May, exploring the city through art and interactive experiences, and experiencing the continued development of Chiayi’s cultural landscape.  

Chiayi City Earns Three Honors at Taiwan Landscape Awards for Integrated Urban Planning Post Date: April 4 Urban Development Department / Economic Affairs Department / Tourism and Information Department The Chiayi City Government earned three honors at the 13th Taiwan Landscape Awards, a major national competition that attracted 105 entries this year. The city was recognized in both the Planning and Sustainable Management category and the Parks and Public Open Space category, and received the Outstanding Award for the fourth consecutive time. Over the past six years, Chiayi City has accumulated a total of 26 awards, reflecting its continued efforts in integrated urban planning, sustainable development, and public space design. Mayor Huang Min-hui stated that the recognition affirms the city government’s long-term cross-department coordination and steady implementation of urban development strategies. She emphasized that urban planning should build on existing foundations while maintaining a forward-looking perspective, and that landscape planning should integrate functionality with cultural value. The city continues to promote a planning approach that reflects its historical identity while supporting a more livable and sustainable urban environment. According to Urban Development Department Director Hsu Huai-chun, urban planning focuses on shaping future development and is not always immediately visible. Through comprehensive planning initiatives, the city government aims to provide clearer direction for development and enhance public understanding of long-term improvements to the living environment. The Economic Affairs Department highlighted the “Blue-Green Loop Phase II” project, noting that its implementation required coordination across multiple agencies, including infrastructure, water management, and transportation sectors. The project connects areas such as National Chiayi University and Minsheng Park, improving spatial continuity and demonstrating an integrated approach to urban development. The city received the following awards: Outstanding Award (Planning and Sustainable Management): Cultural New Silk Road 2.0 – Chiayi Railway Station Area and Cultural District Master Plan   Merit Award (Planning and Sustainable Management): Chiayi Livable Housing Initiative   Merit Award (Parks and Public Open Space): Blue-Green Loop Phase II Project   The Urban Development Department noted that the Outstanding Award represents the highest honor in its category. The city’s award-winning projects highlight a shift from single-site improvements to broader, system-based planning, reflecting a more integrated and sustainable approach to urban governance.