Introduction
Xinzhuang is the earliest developed town in northern Taiwan, important in cultural, educational and economic development.
Historical sites and temples, traditional industries and local specialty foods are all unique. In recent years, “Xinzhuang Drum” has been known all over the world; especially the drum made by “Taiwan Drum & Bell” is durable and produces vigorous sounds. Known as ‘the pride of Xinzhuang people’, the drum has become a collectable for professional bands and temples in other countries.
Activity Details
1. Drum-art Education
We have organized Drum-art seed teacher training Camp, seminars, lectures and other communal promotion to promote Drum-art Culture to people’s life so that more people can access and experience the fun of beating drum.
2. Exhibition, Tour and Competition
(1) Dialogue between lion and the drums - drum culture exhibition: a joint exhibition of “Lion Head”, made by internationally
renowned Master Shaw from Malaysia, and “Drums” made by Master Wang from Xinzhuang.
(2) Old-time delights of Xinzhuang - Temple Tour: tourist guides from local literature/history workshops introduce Taiwan Drum & Bell and the historic temples on Temple Street to all who wish to understand more about local cultural features of Xinzhuang.
(3) Electric Drum Championships: The ‘Best Electric Drummer’ Selection was held with collaborated efforts of proprietors in the game industry and through media promotion to encourage participation.
3. Drum-art Performance
(1) To kick off with gong and drum: The’ Beat the drum to pray for Xinzhuang and build the dream in Xinzhuang’ activity series are ready to kick off!
(2) Drum-fight for all: invite domestic and foreign professional teams to race drums, with extreme energy to bomb-blast the entire playground to get everybody “drum crazy” for a whole night.
(3) International Drum-art Exchanges: Bring the audience a unique, rich feast of quality drum music from different nations at once.
(4) Drum Dance: Taiwan's folk art performers often use the “drum” in their performances. Taiwanese folk arts of ingenuity will be performed during weekend afternoons.
(5) Drumming universe, shake the soul: Use the very dynamic lighting and audio to create spirit of drum art, to shock the world and shake the soul, expecting to bring everyone the same feeling.
4. Drum Art Market
Drum-art performing teams from home and abroad are invited to engage in exchanges, display and sales of creative drum-related cultural merchandise and CD, DVD, which will widen the audiences’ horizons, enrich collectors’ possession, and .improve performers’ performance contents.
Purpose
Taiwan Drum & Bell have been playing a leading role in the production of drums and promotion of Drum-art. The drum related
themes will highlight the unique city image. We uphold ‘quality and innovation’ in creating a better future for Xinzhuang. To impart the essence of local culture, we specially planned series of Drum Showcase Event that demonstrate the beauty of the drum.
Domestic and foreign teams’ performances/exchanges, drum-art education, community / school participation, local features, etc. will be promoted to foster cultural exchange from international perspectives.
Local Attractions
Taiwan Drum & Bell
“Xiangrenhe” and “Laorenhe” are two best-known Taiwan drum & bell manufacturers in Xinzhuang. Located at Chungcheng Road, Xiangrenhe’s drums are hand-made, exquisitely precise, fine, durable, and loud. Not only our domestic lion arrays/troupes/theaters order drums from them, so do clients from overseas who have heard of its name. A variety of drums are also put up for display to the general public.
Guang-Fu Temple
Built in Qing Dynasty Qianlong 45th year (1780), formerly known as “Three Hill King Temple”. It is Chaozhou immigrants Hakka’s religious center. The most important feature is its Hakka style architecture, the only building that was listed as 2nd grade of historical sites in Xinzhuang City. The main hall is for worship of Three Hill King (King Sanshan), referring to the three hills Dushan, Mingshan and Jinshan. The back hall was for his madam.
Local Delicacies
Xinzhuang was developed earlier than other places. There are many famous century-old shops, such as “Laoshunxiang Bakery
Shop” on Xinzhuang Old Street. Popular pastries, cakes, glutinous rice balls, etc. are available. On Xinzhuang Great Worship
Festival, the essential “Xien-Guang Cakes” (salty light cakes), also known as “Ping-An Cakes” (meaning ‘to be safe’), are old
Shunhsiang’s specialty products. Located near Guang-Fu Temple, “Wengyumei Store” has been insisting on using pure maltose.
Following ancestor’s brewery method, it is smooth, sweet but not greasy. “Youxiefeng Curd Shop” manufactures dry curd by baking(traditional method) to retain its rich fragrance. “Xinzhuang Su’s rice cake” has been in business for one hundred years. The glutinous rice, bowl rice cake, salty rice cakes, taro rice cakes, rice cakes, vegetable packet, sesame oil chicken wine etc., are handmade from pure materials without preservatives.
