Welcome performance by Xinzhuang Drum Troupe

Xinzhuang Culture & Arts Center still with decorative lanterns

A Xinzhuang drum was given to the Xi'an visiting group as a memorable gift

Prof. Wang of Xi'an Jiaotong Univ. presented a souvenir of Chinese calligraphy to Xinzhuang City

Visit to the Xiang Ren He Drum Factory

     A 19-member visiting group from Xi'an, China made a trip to Taiwan on Feb. 22. In addition to sightseeing programs to different unique scenic spots and landscape in Taiwan, the group also made a visit to ICAA to make contact with Taiwan cultural organizations.

     Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province, has been a famous ancient city in Chinese history, known as the starting point of the ancient "Silk Road" in the East. Further more, Xi'an wind and percussion music is regarded as a 'living fossil' of Chinese ancient music which was registered by UNESCO on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List in 2009. The famous Ansai Waist Drum on the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi Province is also a unique and impressive local culture. Therefore, Caroline Kuo, Secretary of ICAA, suggested to the Xi'an visiting group to pay a visit to the well known drum-making factory in Taiwan – Xiang Ren He in Xinzhuang, Taipei County.

     Accompanied by Caroline Kuo, the Xi'an visiting group arrived at the Xinzhuang Culture & Arts Center on March 1, first welcomed by Xinzhuang Drum Troupe with a drum performance, then guided to visit its arts exhibition, performance hall and Taiwan puppetry exhibition hall. The visiting group then went to Xiang Ren He Drum Factory to see its drum collection and specialty of drum-making. Our Xi'an guests are especially impressed by listening to the touching and profound sound of a 60-year old big drum made by Xiang Ren He, and relaxingly play drums at the site. ICAA Taiwan hopes, by the way of bilateral visiting and cultural exchanges, we will have more chances to learn and understand different unique and beautiful cultures between the two sides of the Strait in the future.