2025 Pacific Austronesian Indigenous Joint Harvest Festival Concludes Successfully; Easter Island Moai Gift Highlights Event

(中央社訊息服務20250724 11:56:37)The 2025 Pacific Austronesian Indigenous Joint Harvest Festival, themed “Return to Hualien, Voices in Austronesian Harmony,” concluded successfully on July 20 after three days of vibrant activities at the Dexing Lawn. A highlight of the event was the presentation of a Moai wooden sculpture by a delegation from Easter Island. Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei and Indigenous Peoples Department Director-General Ma Cheng-Hao (Malay Boya) received the sculpture, symbolizing the deep friendship and cultural resonance between Taiwan and the Pacific islands.

The unveiling ceremony was hosted by Lynn Jamie, Cultural Ambassador of Easter Island, who invited Mayor Hsu and Director-General Ma onto the stage to witness the Moai sculpture named “Tuki Nui.” This impressive artwork was carved on-site during the festival from ironwood generously donated by the owner of Hualien’s Dajili Tribal House. The sculpture was named after its creator, artist Tuki Hito Marco Antonio.

The delegation offered a traditional prayer in the Rapa Nui language, expressing wishes for lasting friendship and well-being among their communities. The ceremony also included the presentation of traditional foods representing blessings and shared bonds, embodying the Austronesian spirit of “sharing” and “connection.” This solemn and heartfelt ritual captured the attention and hearts of all attendees.

The festival’s climax came on its final evening with a grand welcoming ceremony featuring nearly a thousand participants dancing together amidst gentle rain and rhythmic drums. Singing in indigenous languages resonated across the grassland, creating an atmosphere of unity and emotional resonance. As the festival song “Hand in Hand!” filled the air, Mayor Hsu and the Easter Island delegation joined attendees in dancing, bringing the three-day event to a warm and moving conclusion.

More than a hundred booths at the event showcased indigenous crafts, local delicacies, and agricultural specialties, drawing significant crowds. This year, new features included immersive exhibition areas for six indigenous groups, Moai sculpture installations from Easter Island, and nighttime Austronesian-themed lighting displays, which quickly became popular photo spots and sparked enthusiastic social media engagement.

Mayor Hsu emphasized that “Return to Hualien” symbolizes a cultural homecoming, while “Voices in Austronesian Harmony” represents harmonious coexistence among diverse peoples. She described the festival as a significant intercultural exchange and a vital bridge fostering mutual understanding and connections between Hualien and Austronesian-speaking communities worldwide.

Highlighting the festival’s role in promoting cultural diplomacy, creative economies, and youth engagement, Mayor Hsu expressed gratitude to the Easter Island delegation for their meaningful gift, underscoring the profound friendship and cultural exchange between both sides.

The three-day event attracted over 100,000 participants, reflecting Hualien’s deep-rooted significance as a center of Austronesian culture through diverse activities such as indigenous music and dance performances, cultural exhibitions, culinary markets, and hands-on experiences.

Hualien County Government affirmed its commitment to maintaining and expanding connections with Pacific Austronesian communities, positioning the Pacific Austronesian Indigenous Joint Harvest Festival as an ongoing platform and emblem of cultural resonance.