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Listening to the World Locally – The Homecoming Tour of Taiwanese Musicians

Publication date: 20 Aug 2024
Author: Lee Yi-ling, Wang Li-Chiao | Staff member at the Archives of Institute of Taiwan History

Ninety years ago, in August 1934, a group of young Taiwanese musicians embarked on the first Western music concert tour in Taiwan’s history. The Homecoming Concert Tour began with great fanfare during the scorching summer of the South Island, kicking off at the Taipei Medical School Auditorium. With a packed itinerary, the tour traveled southward, stopping at public assembly halls in Hsinchu, Taichung, Changhua, Chiayi, and Tainan, before culminating in a final performance at the Kaohsiung Youth Hall. Despite the demanding schedule, the musicians delivered exquisite piano melodies and harmonies to audiences across Taiwan, sparking widespread acclaim.

This article focuses on Taiwan’s first “Homecoming Concert Tour,” which was rapidly organized in just over a month. The program primarily featured Western musical compositions. During the scorching summer of the South Island, this grand musical feast unfolded with enthusiasm, traveling from north to south with seven performances. It offered audiences across Taiwan an auditory delight, broadened their horizons, and brought Western music closer to the local population. This tour marked the beginning of Taiwan’s musical diversity and led to Taiwan’s music being recognized on the Olympic stage, where Taiwanese music shone brightly on the global scene.

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V. Archives and Publications Related to Taiwan Art in the ITH Archives

When Taiwanese artists cross boundaries, they not only create paintings in different world views but also reflect on the values of their roots. Whether in the art paradise of Paris or in the cosmopolitan Shanghai, these artists were inspired by foreign cultures and abundant art trends. Base on the firm foundation of art training, they boldly exploited their potential and developed wider dimensions of their own creating styles, adding various themes and stimuli to the development of Taiwan art. Regardless of whether they went back to Taiwan or stayed abroad after finishing their training, these artists kept referring the natural and cultural spirit of their country through artwork, continually promoting the arts and cultures of Taiwan.

In recent years, the ITH Archives has digitized and cataloged Taiwan senior artists’ records and artworks in order to support academic research in art history and preserve cultural heritages of Taiwan. The Chen Cheng-po Painting and Papers, Yen Shui-long Painting and Papers, Chen Zhi-qi Painting and Papers, Pu Tian-sheng Sculptures and Papers have been opened in sequence. In addition, the ITH Archives has also digitized related records stored by sponsors and other collectors. Through investigating these works of art and abundant historical materials, the dimensions of Taiwan’s art history research and discourse can be better distinguished. The archives and publications related to Taiwan art are listed as follows:

I. Artists’ Personal Papers
(1) Chen Cheng-po Painting and Papers, Taiwan Archival Information System, opened progressively since 2014.
(2) Yen Shui-long Painting and Papers, Taiwan Archival Information System, opened in 2015.
(3) Chen Zhi-qi Painting and Papers, Taiwan Archival Information System, opened in 2017.
(4) Pu Tian-sheng Sculptures and Papers, Taiwan Archival Information System, opened in 2018.
(5) Liu Chi-hsiang Painting and Papers, currently being cataloged.
(6) Kuo Hsueh-hu Painting and Papers, currently being cataloged.
II. Art Sponsors and Personal Collectors
(1) Yang Zhao-jia Collection: the series of Papers of Supporting Cultural Activities, Taiwan Archival Information System, opened in 2014.
(2) Guo Shuang-fu Collection: the series Monthly Magazine Published by the Tokyo Art School Alumni Association, the series Yen Shui-long's Papers Created in the Craft Research Center in Nantou Collected by Lee Zhen-xiang, Taiwan Archival Information System, opened progressively in 2012. The series of Painting and Calligraphy Collection is currently being cataloged.
(3) Historical Materials Related to Taiwan Studies Collected by Yang Rur-bin: the series of Calligraphy and Ink Painting Created by Japanese in Taiwan, the series of Calligraphy and Ink Painting Created by Han Taiwanese, Taiwan Archival Information System, opened progressively since 2018.
III. Publication Related to Taiwan Art
Hsieh Kuo-hsing , Wang Li-chiao, eds. A Selection of Chen Zhi-qi Painting and Papers. Taipei: Institute of Taiwan History, Academia Sinica, 2017.

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