2023
About the Program
Xinpu, Taiwan is a place dubbed “The Town of Persimmons.” The climate allows the fruit to grow in abundance. Persimmons are harvested during peak growth, then processed and dried to eat year-round.
Persimmons are a traditional harvest, with many elders working in the persimmon factories. One day, as these senior workers were climbing to their feet after a long day at work, they realized that their hands were leaving behind beautiful stains on the walls! This sparked the idea of using persimmon juice as natural dye.
Taiwan is a leader in the field of natural dye craft, with artists and researchers creating innovations that combine eco-friendly practices with traditional dyeing techniques. Persimmon dye is one such example: building a local craft community that preserves tradition and using natural resources to make art.
With a little chemical reaction and limitless creativity, persimmon dye inspires all of us to think about our environment in a refreshing and artistic way. TAIWANfest invites everyone to come and play with your imagination with this unique natural dye!
From the Curating Team
Through hands-on workshops and games, participants delve into Taiwan's history, culture, and ethnic migration, fostering intimacy reminiscent of sailors collaborating amid unknown challenges. Activities include painting, puzzles, and natural dyeing, guided by Taiwanese craft masters. Participants bond, gaining insight and creating cherished memories akin to the Era of Exploration.
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Performance / Vendor / Sponsorship Opportunities
TAIWANfest Vancouver is grateful to be held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). We acknowledge our privilege to be gathered here, and commit to work with and be respectful to the Indigenous peoples of this land while we engage in meaningful conversations of culture and reconciliation.