Penghu maritime culture program explores wood-based heritage through art

The Ocean Affairs Council is supporting the Penghu County Cultural Foundation to execute the Maritime Culture Pilot Program. This initiative is integrated with the ‘2026 Da Feng Chui Life Festival – Xiaochi Land’ held in Xiaochi Village, Baisha Township, Penghu, from September 25 to October 4.

Centering on the theme of ‘wood,’ the event explores the historical relationship between the people of Penghu and maritime resources. Despite Penghu being historically described as a ‘treeless island’ due to its environment, wood has been a vital medium for survival, used in traditional vessels like ‘Jianlong boats’ and ‘small cedar plank boats,’ as well as in temple architecture and fishing tools.

The program features artist residencies and site-specific creations, including contemporary circus, environmental dance, shadow plays, and sound installations. Visitors can explore three immersive paths: ‘Roaming Xiaochi West’ through old alleys, ‘Dreaming Xiaochi East’ utilizing old waterways and ancestral halls, and ‘Xiaochi Sound Hunting’ which uses local interviews and environmental soundscapes to connect the community's past, present, and future.