New Taipei City Library and NCCU Launch 'Dawenshan Studies'! 'Tea-Scented Satoyama Co-Learning Initiative' Begins July 30, Families Explore Hometown Through Walks

To promote 'New Taipei Studies' and deepen local knowledge, New Taipei City Library today (29th) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with National Chengchi University. Moving forward, the collaboration will leverage NCCU’s expertise in local research, ecological conservation, tea industry, and regional revitalization, bringing academic achievements to the public through library exhibitions, reading promotion, lectures, and experiential events.

New Taipei City Library and National Chengchi University officially launch the 'Tea-Scented Satoyama Co-Learning Initiative,' creating a local knowledge platform that integrates knowledge preservation, cultural translation, and public education through resource sharing and mutual cooperation. Starting with Shiding, Pinglin, Shenkeng, and Xindian, the initiative will connect local industries, schools, cultural groups, and libraries, focusing on three main themes: tea culture, ecological conservation, and inclusive indigenous education. Through diverse formats such as collections, thematic exhibitions, lectures, workshops, walking tours, and reading promotion, the public is invited to explore the mountainous cities through reading and learn about the人文 history, natural ecology, and local culture of the Dawenshan region.

Wu Chia-shan, Director of New Taipei City Library, stated that the Dawenshan area encompasses Jingmei, Muzha, Xindian, Shenkeng, Shiding, and Pinglin. Due to the development of the tea industry, the region retains a rich cultural and historical heritage. It is also a space where the cultural exchange between the Atayal indigenous people and Fujian Anxi immigrants takes place. This is the first time the library has partnered with a university's local research capabilities, aiming to bring academic achievements into public libraries through reading promotion, knowledge translation, and cross-domain collaboration, deepening local knowledge and transforming it into momentum for regional development. The library aspires to become a key knowledge platform connecting universities, local communities, and citizens.

NCCU President Li Tsai-yen stated that the university has long been committed to the local practice of 'Dawenshan Studies,' fostering mutual prosperity between the campus and the community. Today, through the MOU with New Taipei City Library, they jointly launch the 'Tea-Scented Satoyama Co-Learning Initiative,' transforming faculty and student field research and academic findings into engaging stories through thematic exhibitions, cross-domain lectures, workshops, and cultural walking tours—making them accessible reading materials for the public. By integrating university courses and student teams, the initiative will promote tea sensory experiences and everyday tea culture translation. Additionally, co-creation of unique spaces at youth libraries in Shenkeng, Shiding, and Xindian will establish a cross-generational co-learning network specific to the Dawenshan area.

The 'Tea-Scented Satoyama Co-Learning Initiative' will first launch the 'Tea-Scented Satoyama Local Achievements Exhibition' from July 30 to August 31, showcasing NCCU's University Social Responsibility (USR) outcomes, including the Wenshan Tea Learning Journey, local food and agricultural education, 'Drinking Turtle Tea to Protect Ecology,' Conservation Coexistence Areas (OECM), and Mountain Tribe Classrooms. Combined with the 'Shiding Yongan Monopoly' guided tour, the exhibition will help the public understand how tea connects natural conservation, indigenous education, and regional revitalization, revealing the story of land stewardship behind every cup of tea.

A series of events will also take place at Xindian Youth Library, Shenkeng Branch, and Shiding Branch. On August 4, the 'Tea-Scented Satoyama Lecture Hall' will explore the ecology of tea villages and mountain stories, starting from wildlife rescue, endemic species in Wulai, and Atayal culture. On August 5, 'Weaving Little Journey' and 'Raptor Afternoon Tea' will combine tribal culture, traditional weaving, and raptor ecology, allowing children and adults to learn about the natural and cultural aspects of the tea-scented satoyama. On August 8, 'Tea Leaf Little Journey' will guide families through observing tea, smelling its aroma, and cold-brew tea experiences, helping them discover Dawenshan through the fragrance of tea. Additionally, the 'Tea-Scented Satoyama Co-Learning Initiative' includes local co-learning sharing sessions, thematic book exhibitions, film screenings, borrowing gifts, and hands-on experiences, inviting the public to start from reading and step into the community to understand the land. For detailed event information and registration, please visit the New Taipei City Library website (http://www.library.ntpc.gov.tw).