Magistrate Hsu of Hualien County escorted indigenous performers to join a parade in Temple City, warmly welcomed by the Chinese community in the United States.
(中央社訊息服務20240226 15:39:07) 
On February 24th, Hualien County Magistrate Hsu led a delegation to participate in the Camellia Festival parade held in Temple City. The organizers of the parade invited Hualien County to join the event in 2020 and 2024, which reflects the frequent friendly exchanges between the two regions.
The 80th Temple City Camellia Festival took place with great fanfare amidst blooming camellias and sunny skies. Dozens of groups participated in the parade with floats, singing, dancing, and lively music, warmly welcoming the arrival of spring. Magistrate Hsu led a team of 44 county officials, teachers, and students on an 11-hour flight to Temple City, California. They wore indigenous attire to showcase Hualien's culture to the world. During the festival parade, students performed a harvest festival dance that illustrated the strength and beauty of indigenous music and dance, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
During the annual Temple City Camellia Festival, Magistrate Hsu expressed how magnificent the event was. This year's festival was especially noteworthy due to the participation of Hualien. Three schools collaborated to showcase the charisma of indigenous cultural music and dance. The locals gave a warm welcome, took photographs, and applauded the performance, which strongly encouraged the students. Attending this event allowed Hualien's youth to broaden their international perspectives and experience firsthand how overseas Chinese value indigenous culture.
Magistrate Hsu further explained that Temple City and Hualien County established sister city ties in 2018 under the tenure of former Hualien County Magistrate Fu Kun-chi. Since 2018, they have maintained close relations. Hualien sent a delegation to attend the Temple City Camellia Festival for the first time in 2020. Despite the pandemic, they provided each other with pandemic-prevention materials, exemplifying the essence of sister cities. Magistrate Hsu expressed great pleasure in returning to Temple City after the pandemic lockdown and hopes to further expand the relationship between the two areas.
Students from Stella Maris Ursuline High School (SMHS) and Huaren Junior High School performed on stage at the Camellia Festival, passionately presenting the "Amis Annual Festival Dance - Boat Festival" and "Creative Dance - Singing in the Wind, Dancing in the Vast Mountains and Seas of Hualien." Their spirited performances spotlighted the enthusiasm of the people of Hualien and showcased the beauty of Hualien culture to the world. The Hualien County government delegation distributed Taiwan flags and flag badges during the parade, which were eagerly sought after by local overseas Chinese and event participants.
In spring, camellias bloom in Temple City and were declared the city flower in 1944. Since then, the Camellia Festival has become an essential platform for showcasing community spirit and local identity. Initially, the festival revolved around a single flower and a slogan. It kicked off with a small parade and the distribution of camellia flowers, symbolically selecting an 8-month-old baby as the "Festival Queen." The festival quickly gained widespread support from the local community, with approximately 150 youth participating in the first parade to demonstrate community solidarity. Over time, it became a beloved and essential annual celebration in Temple City.
The Camellia Festival includes parades, carnivals, talent performances, and food carts. It attracts many residents and tourists, promoting community spirit and revitalizing Temple City's business district. It is worth mentioning that Temple City emphasizes family and community development. The main participants in the event are children and teenagers under 18 years old. The Camellia Festival enhances children's participation in the community.