To advance the Austronesian Cultural Homeland policy, the Taitung County Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs hosted the Austronesian Living Room – Welcoming Ceremony on August 31 at Just Arts House. Artists from seven countries—Madagascar, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, Bermuda, and Fiji—gathered in Taitung to participate.
The event brought together four major international cultural exchange programs: the International Austronesian Music Exchange, Hi Hi Taitung: Austronesian Chronicles Project, Taitung International Craft Residency Program, and the Austronesian Cultural Living Room Action Project. Through residencies and exchanges in music, literature, and craft, the initiative highlights Taitung’s role as a vital hub linking the Pacific and the Austronesian cultural network.
The event was held in the rich cultural setting of Just Arts House and followed Austronesian traditions of hospitality. From ceremonial horn-blowing and chanting to guided tours of the venue, the immersive atmosphere embodied the idea that “culture is life, and exchange is ritual,” allowing Austronesian participants to feel the warmth and depth of Taitung.
The Director of Cultural Affairs remarked: “Thousands of years ago, the capital of Taiwan was in Taitung. With the production and circulation of Taiwan Jade, this place was the starting point of Austronesian culture.” Over the past two years, the county government has engaged in exchanges across music, boatbuilding, tattooing, literature, crafts, and academia, steadily shaping Taitung into a platform for international Austronesian cultural dialogue and realizing the vision of “starting from the local, connecting islands, and linking the world.”
Vilsoni Hereniko, playwright from Rotuma Island (Fiji) and cultural advisor for Moana 2, shared: “Our identity, values, and traditions are our superpower. The cultural confidence of Taitung is a manifestation of this strength.” He added that witnessing Taitung’s people embrace and celebrate their culture filled him with a profound sense of empowerment.
During the Austronesian Living Room session, Taitung musician Sawtoy Saytay showcased various bamboo instruments, creating a platform for musical exchange. Music became a universal language bridging cultures, carrying Taitung’s warmth and emotions to every visiting friend.
在南島客廳由台東音樂家少多宜老師帶來多種竹製樂器，進行音樂交流環節，讓音樂成為跨越語言與文化的共通語言，將台東的溫度與情感傳遞給每一位遠道而來的朋友。
The advancement of the Austronesian Cultural Homeland is not only about cultural export, but also cultural invitation. Through residencies, co-creation, and hospitality, Taitung uses the rhythm of a “slow economy” to provide international artists with opportunities for deep engagement. These exchanges strengthen island-to-island connections and present to the world the depth and warmth of Austronesian culture.
