The Cabinet-level Council for Cultural Affairs announced June 28 it has finished making its annual selection of living cultural assets it considers most worthy of protection.
In its announcement the CCA noted that it divides living cultural assets into two broad categories: groups or individuals in possession of artistic skills relating to folk customs and arts unique to Taiwan; and important local cultural customs and festivals.
A total of six individuals or groups were chosen this year, as were five customs and festivals, the CCA noted.
The six artists chosen were Huang Tu-shan, who specializes in making artifacts using bamboo; Wang Ching-shuang, a lacquer artist; Lin Wu Su-hsia, a musician with expertise in the traditional Nanguan music; Chang Hung-ming, another Nanguan musician; the Miaoli Chen Family Hakka Ba-yin Music Group; and the Bunun Cultural Association, which has helped preserve the unique aboriginal singing style known as “pasibutbut.”
The recipients will be honored by the CCA July 31 at the Taichung Creative and Cultural Park, the CCA said. This park, it added, happens to contain the venue where both Huang’s bamboo artworks and Wang’s lacquer ware will be on display until Aug. 29.
If the recipients agree to pass along their knowledge and skills by holding a few classes per week, the CCA will provide them with an annual stipend, the CCA said. Individual recipients will be entitled to an average of NT$1.2 million (US$37,400) per year, while group recipients will receive an average of NT$1.4 million annually.
As to the five customs and festivals chosen by the CCA, they are: the Shui Zang ceremonies at Kouhu in Yunlin County; the Wang Ye Boat ceremonies at Donggang in Pingtung County; and three separate festivals, all honoring Ma Zu, the goddess of the sea, associated with temples located in Yunlin, Dajia, and Baishatun.
This marks the third year in a row that the CCA has prepared a list of intangible cultural assets, the council noted. (HZW)