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Goodbye 886 - Taiwan Military Dependent Village Cultural Park

2023-12-26
886-7-5812886
高雄市左營區明德新村2、3、4、10、11號
Since 1945, military dependents from across mainland China gradually settled in various parts of Taiwan. As time passed and years flowed, the unique humanistic atmosphere of military dependents' villages became nostalgic memories for many. According to Ministry of National Defense statistics in 2005, there were 886 registered military dependents' villages nationwide. After the administrative merger, Kaohsiung City became the only city with preserved areas of land, naval, and air force villages, with 90 hectares of cultural landscapes reserved here—most extensive in Taiwan. To reconnect the past with local communities, the original "Kaohsiung Military Dependents' Cultural Museum" within Lukang Old City has been relocated to No. 2, 3, 4, 10, and 11, Ming De New Village in Zuoying District as "Goodbye 886: National Defense Village Cultural Park," officially opened to reveal the unique charm of military dependents' culture. Kaohsiung's special value lies in integrating land, naval, and air force communities. Naval villages are mainly located in Zuoying, air force villages in Gangshan, and land forces villages in Fengshan. As the naval headquarters, Zuoying in Kaohsiung holds the largest naval dependents' village in Taiwan, with Ming De New Village historically known as "General’s Village" due to its high-ranking officer residences. In 1996, the "Act on the Reconstruction of Aging Military Dependents’ Villages" accelerated the disappearance of these communities. When Chen Chu, Secretary General of the Presidential Office, served as Kaohsiung’s mayor, she actively lobbied the Ministry of Defense for preservation. In 2014, Kaohsiung’s Cultural Affairs Bureau initiated the "Residential Preservation" scheme to tackle conservation challenges. Supported by the Ministry of Culture’s "New Plan for Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Heritage Conservation" in 2016, projects like the upgraded "Residential Preservation·Talent Base," "Residential Preservation·Citizen Housing," "Residential Preservation·Old House Labor Camp," and "Residential Preservation·Cottage Stay" expanded in 2017. So far, 133 houses were rehabilitated and 91 households successfully matched with Ming De New Village and Huangpu New Village. This program aims to sustain the community's rich life texture and housing functions. "Goodbye 886: Taiwanyan Military Dependents’ Cultural Park" themed around "goodbye" serves both to honor the lost years and to celebrate the rebirth of these villages. The site consists of four main buildings: The "Military Village Era Hall," narrating the history of military life from displacement to settlement, with artifacts like medals, old leather suitcases, and powder canister rice containers; "The Military Village Club," recreating entertainment and cultural spaces for post-migration military families, showcasing documents, commemorative plaques, and literary works like "The Genesis Poetry Magazine"; "Military Village·Tide," presenting challenges and transformations post-relocation, using AR technology to exhibit the past and present; and the "Military Village Coexistence Base," fostering a platform for creators to share artistic works through creative workshops and performances. Eventually, the full park will include 52 buildings from Ming De New Village after the reconstruction, establishing Taiwan's largest reserved military village cultural zone. By creating a unique historical humanistic space, the goal is to raise public awareness of the preservation of military village culture. We hope this site demonstrates the diversity of Taiwan’s history and contributes to cultural conservation and utilization. For further information, visit the Facebook page "Goodbye 886: National Defense Village Cultural Park" or call 07-5812886 inquiry. **Military Village Era Hall (Ming De No. 2 and No. 3):** After World War II, the Zuoying military zone was taken over by the Republic of China Navy and designated as the third naval district. In 1949 (ROC Year 38 year), following the government’s retreat from mainland China, Zuoying became the primary first district, leading to mass displacement of navy officers and their families. Reflecting on this period, the historical events such as the ROC's loss in the Chinese Civil War, the outbreak of the Korean War, and renewed American support for Taiwan caused drastic societal changes, requiring naval personnel and their families to adapt continuously. The building that once housed Japanese Prime Minister Nakasone Yasuhiro, Ming De No. 2, is designed with the theme "Rewinding to 1949," enabling visitors to experience arriving on Taiwan aboard ships like the "Chung" class, bringing suitcases into villages. Exhibits include living room settings, cigarette ashtrays made from powder shells, medals, vintage suitcases, documents, and sweaters worn during the relocation, and functional rice containers made from powder canisters in kitchens. These items embody the shared lives and memories of military families, reflecting their migration journey during turbulent large-scale events. **Military Village Club (Ming De No. 4):** Many villages in Zuoying were located within restricted military zones, where access required presentation of residency permits, creating a vivid contrast between inside and outside the villages. The social and cultural dynamics within villages, shaped by different military branches, formed unique cultural landscapes. For instance, naval communities in Zuoying featured vibrant spots like "Family under the Four Seas" or "Zhongshan Hall." Focused on the theme of "Zuoying Memories," this venue showcases memories and honors gathered from various families. The entrance replicates a checkpoint where residency permits are inspected or where military families await visits. Proceeding through this, visitors encounter the essential items for military dependents—the "Ming De Rations Permit" (used for monthly food rations). Within, visitors experience important social spaces in the naval community. In this era, military literature also illuminated the ROC literary scene. The exhibit details the three significant poets—Luo Fu, Yi Xian, and Zhang Mo—of the "Genesis Poetry Magazine." It also highlights the impact of American cultural clubs, military movie theaters, and literary activities on the special military culture of the time. **Military Village·Tide (Ming De No. 11):** This building titled "Two Skies" presents a generational contrast between mainland China and Taiwan. After the Chinese Civil War, Taiwan unified under anti-communist consensus, shouting "anti-communist and anti-Soviet" slogans and promoting a "Return to the Mainland" campaign. Concurrently, the "Free Taiwan" movement and Cultural Revolution on the mainland created an ideological divide. This dynamic became...
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