President Hsiu-chuan Wei
Stages of Lukang’s Development
President Wei says that last few years are considered good years in terms of Lukang’s hundred-year history, especially during the lantern festival in 2011. Lukang’s sinology was greatly flourishing during Japanese colonial rule. We didn’t forget our culture back then. However, Lukang’s development slowed down a lot since the Republic of China, mainly because Lukang Township didn’t let the railway pass through it, since Lukang’s people were very traditional and very serious about Feng Shui.
Urbanization of Lukang
People started to notice and visit Lukang because of Lo Ta-yu’s “The Small Lukang Township”. In 2007, the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Economic Affairs assigned a budget to us, so we built the entrance scene, route guide, and website, and started to do the marketing for Lukang. Moreover, the mayor actively held events and promoted the smart business circle during 2009-2011 in order to introduce Lukang Old Street to everyone.
Forming an Extended Business Circle
There are too many chain stores in Lukang, which have killed Lukang’s traditional industries. For example, there are around 200 black tea shops in Zhongshan Road, spreading from the beginning of Sanmin Rd, along the road, to Mazu Temple. Black tea shops or chain stores are everywhere today. Many years ago, the old houses here had gables and beautiful carvings, but today we can only recall them through the old pictures.
Postscript
Even though President Wei was very busy, she still came to our school to help our Cyberfair project. She introduced the old streets that we didn’t know before and humorously answered our interview questions, so we listened curiously from the beginning till the end. Before finishing the interview, President Wei showed us pictures that she had taken, offered us help, and gave us a lot of information.
postscript
and dictation reorganized by Pei-Chi.
