Kaohsiung Hakka Children's Choir Visits Japan for Cultural Exchange, Performs Lion Dance with Local Team

The Central News Agency reported from Kaohsiung on November 11 by journalist Chang Yi-Lien: The Kaohsiung Hakka Children's Choir has embarked on a cultural exchange visit to Japan. Today, the young performers sang Hakka-language songs and presented the 'Hakka Fangkou Lion' dance, sharing the stage with the 'Donghua Lion Team' from the Tokyo Chinese School. Through face-to-face interaction, the children are learning to respect multiculturalism and broaden their international horizons.

According to a press release from the Kaohsiung City Government Hakka Affairs Commission, the choir conducted a 'study exchange' event today at the Tokyo Chinese School. Lion dance teams from both regions took turns performing, showcasing the results of their long-term training.

After the performance, choir members were divided into groups and entered the elementary division of the Tokyo Chinese School, becoming 'one-day exchange students.' They sat side by side with local students and attended classes together, deepening cross-border friendships between Taiwanese and Japanese youth.

Yang Jui-Hsia, Chairperson of the Kaohsiung City Government Hakka Affairs Commission who led the delegation, stated that students from Kaohsiung entering classrooms to learn and interact with peers from the Tokyo Chinese School allows them to develop respect for diverse cultures, expand their global perspectives, and build international friendships through direct engagement.

The press release noted that Chairperson Yang presented a Japanese-language tourism book titled 'Kaohsiung Hakka Village Happy Travel' and paper-crafted lanterns to the students, hoping to create shared childhood memories.

Wu Yu-Shan, Principal of the Tokyo Chinese School, specially awarded certificates of honor to the students who participated in classroom learning. Wu remarked that the Meinong District in Kaohsiung preserves traditional Hakka culture. Through this exchange, children at the Chinese School have gained a deeper appreciation of Taiwan's rich cultural diversity. She expressed hope that in the future, senior students might have the opportunity to visit Meinong as part of their graduation trip to further explore Hakka culture. (Edited by Huang Ming-Hsi)