Hakka Village Old House Revitalization Project Launched, Minister Ku Hsiu-fei Hopes to Rekindle Fond Childhood Memories

(CNA reporter Chiu Tsu-yin Taipei, July 8) The Hakka Affairs Council held the first policy briefing and press conference for the "Hakka Village Old House Revitalization Demonstration and Guidance Project" today. Ku Hsiu-fei, Chairperson of the Hakka Affairs Council, expressed her hope that through this project, the fond memories of children playing in front of old Hakka houses can be rekindled.

The event was held at the "Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab" in Taipei. In her speech, Ku Hsiu-fei stated that the two core aspects of this project are: first, to care for the people living in old houses, ensuring that house repairs not only preserve the building's structure but also improve the quality of life for its residents; and second, to address the crisis of a shortage of repair craftsmen by considering complementary measures for technical inheritance.

Ku Hsiu-fei mentioned that old house restoration involves many delicate traditional craftsmanship techniques. However, in the past, under the public sector's bidding system, many techniques were forced to be simplified, thus compromising the quality of restoration. She stated that with the passing of master craftsman Fu Ming-kuang, a gap in skills has emerged, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find craftsmen. Finding solutions outside the existing cultural heritage preservation system is a課題 that must be considered.

Ku Hsiu-fei said that the cultivation of restoration talent cannot be achieved overnight; it requires "accumulation over and over again" to master. She expects this project to serve as a demonstration, stating, "Future homeowners applying for repairs will also need to agree to a 'training through repair' approach, where master craftsmen will bring students to collaborate. This place will become a teaching site."

Project host Hsiao Ting-hsiung stated in his speech that the biggest difference between this project and general old house repairs is that "it does not belong to the needs of a single building." The team is concerned with the context related to Hakka village settlements.

Hsiao Ting-hsiung emphasized that the project also values the continued use of old houses after repair. "Once the house is repaired, it cannot be left empty." Therefore, discussions will be held with homeowners about their desired uses after the repair. However, it is not necessary to open a museum or run a coffee shop; the team will assist in matching homeowners with professionals they wish to engage.

Hsiao Ting-hsiung expressed his hope, as mentioned by Chairperson Ku Hsiu-fei, to recreate the scenes of children playing in Hakka villages in the past. "Allowing old houses to return to life is what we care about most."

The Hakka Affairs Council plans to recruit trainees starting this September. Any individual interested in learning traditional repair skills can apply to participate and engage in old house repair sites alongside craftsmen. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 0708

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