The biennial “2022 TAOYUAN FUGANG RAILWAY ART FESTIVAL” co-organized by the Taoyuan City Government and the Taiwan Railways Administration is being held at Fugang Station and surrounding area from July 28 to August 7. On July 30th, the National Treasure-class retired CK124 Steam Train will be exhibited. Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-Tsan and TRA Director Du Wei will kick off the event as a one-day stationmaster and ring the bell to welcome the train to Fugang at 1 p.m.
After the opening ceremony, artists and local groups will give their wonderful performance at the street parade. Nostalgic scenes such as vintage cosplay performers, bean curd stall will be set up, brining tourists back to the nostalgic and prosperous scene of 1920.
Taoyuan’s Department of Cultural Affairs indicates that the Fugang Station was an important distribution center for rice and goods established during the Japanese occupation era. With its tourism and historical status, the city government decided to hold the first “Fugang Railway Art Festival” in 2020. This year, apart from the 6 music performances, 11 theme activities, 27 pieces of artworks, an expanded Railway Culture Exhibition will also be held to build a festive brand and showcase the charm of the small town of Fugang.
TRA states that, CK124, a.k.a. Steam Train Prince, came to Taiwan in 1936 as the main locomotive for passenger and freight train on the Jiji Line until it retired in 1979. It became the milestone of Taiwan Railway’s revival of steam trains when it resumed operation with CK101 in 2001. CK124 and “C11 171 Winter Wetland” of Japan Hokkaido Railway became Sister Trains in 2012, marking Taiwan’s second Train Diplomacy case after the Alishan Railway in 1986. This will allows Taiwanese as well as Japanese tourists to better understand Taiwan’s railway history and the splendor of CK124.
Tourists in COSPLAY and checked in with pictures in Fugang Old Street can get a Railway-theme souvenir; State banquet chef Jerry Chiu, together with the Yangmei Farmers’ Association launched the trending “Fugang Sous Vide Pork Meal” offer at NT$ 100 after checking in on Facebook with photos, message and #FugangRailwayArtFestival . Other local market stalls and events are also waiting for tourists to participate and have fun.
Modern Design Management Consultant Co.Ltd. is the official partner on media publicity for this FESTIVAL.
More Information, please visit:
https://www.fugang-art.tw
https://www.facebook.com/110254690562710/
