via Business Wire, 13 December 2023: The Tainan City Museum, opening on December 22, showcases Taiwan’s richest collection of Qing Dynasty artifacts, reflecting the island’s diverse historical narrative. The exhibits, ranging from prehistoric to modern times, include official clothing, religious ceremony tools, and historical records, painting a vivid picture of Taiwan’s past, from Dutch interactions to Japanese influence, making Tainan a key cultural capital.
Director-general of the Tainan City Cultural Affairs Bureau Hsieh Shih-yuan introduced that during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912 A.D.), Tainan was where the Taiwan Prefecture was located. The museum showcases Taiwan’s most extensive array of locally found artifacts dating back to the Qing Dynasty, ranging from the official clothing worn by local officials to the tools used in daily religious ceremonies and weddings. The collection also includes historical records detailing how officials and civilians joined hands to combat bandits. Yet, history is a collective narrative shaped by all who have inhabited this land. As reflected in the opening permanent exhibition “Creating Tainan: Our History” and a special Life Story Series exhibition titled “Traditional Grocery Stores,” Tainan witnessed the arrival of diverse groups of people, leading to the convergence of varied cultures. This collision ignites cultural exchanges and accumulations that fundamentally shape Tainan’s society, serving as vital nourishment for its role as Taiwan’s cultural capital.
