Wednesday, July 18, 2007

ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION LAUNCHED FOR HAKKA CULTURAL CENTER

Taipei, July 16 (CNA) The Council for Hakka Affairs (CHA) launched an international architectural competition Monday to design a Taiwan Hakka Cultural Center (THCC) -- a NT$1.8 billion (US$54.54 million) project -- in Tongluo, Miaoli County.

The 11.2-hectare cultural center, which will be located at the south entrance of the Tongluo Science Park, and the Liouduai Hakka Cultural Center in Pingtung County, are both important projects in the government's plan for cultural facilities. The two state-level cultural centers will underline the richness of Hakka culture in northern and southern Taiwan, according to CHA Deputy Minister Chiu Yi-ying.

Architects from around the world are eligible to enter the two-stage open competition to secure a NT$119 million contract (US$3.62 million) with the best design. The winner will be announced next January, said an official from the THCC preparatory office.

Unlike the Liouduai project, which focuses on introducing Hakka culture in southern Taiwan, key elements of the Miaoli project will be a museum and a research facility, Chiu said. The Miaoli project looks to be a platform that encourages locals to understand Hakka culture.

There are an estimated 4 million Hakka people in Taiwan, which represents about 17 percent of the population. Not until four or five years ago did people start to work on the preservation and promotion of the unique culture, Chiu said.

The THCC Miaoli branch is expected to be completed in 2010 and to open in 2011.