To celebrate Retrocession Day and Yuanlin’s upgrade to county-controlled city, they local government held a special event at Yuanlin Performance Hall on October 25, which began with Xinxian Poetry Association’s painting and calligraphy exhibition. There were many artists, literary workers, cultural workers and public representatives in the celebration. Family group from Raoping Hakka class at Jing Siou Elementary School were also invited to perform on stage. Mrs. Qiu was the executive director of Xingxian Poetry Association; though the Association had been holding poetry writing and reciting activities for years, it was the first time it had poetry reciting activity in Changhua Raoping Hakka language, which successfully drew the guests’ attention. Changhua TV News Channel even came to report it! No doubt this act won the public’s applause and praises.

There were a lot of famous paintings and calligraphy, which was definitely good for the eyes and the mind. The corps all hoped they could be like the masters at Xingxian Poetry Association, who were all good at poetry, calligraphy and painting. Before going on stage, the Raoping Hakka family group practiced a little bit with the simple ones, eased their nerves, and put on the vests and hoods with Hakka flower patterns. With Jing Siou Elementary School’s Chinese Music Orchestra performance and famous calligraphers’ “Xingxian Poetry Association’s 100th Anniversary Calligraphy Exhibition”, the event went to its climax. The family group went on stage as the finale; they started with Mrs. Qiu’s congratulation poem in Raoping Hakka and sang the following in Taiwanese Opera tone and Raoping tone: Changhua Yuanlin upgrades to city, Xingxian celebrates with calligraphy and painting. Talents educate good students, which benefits Banxian and more beyond. (彰化員林鎮升市，興賢吟社書畫慶。才子傳教好子弟，嘉惠半線揚千里。) It won immediate applause from the audience and some people even came inquiring where to learn Raoping Hakka. The Junior Corps actively promoted Hakka class (with schedules) and hoped people learn Raoping Hakka together, so that they can revive the language and its culture widely.

Then, the Junior Corps and Chairperson Jianbiao Lin accepted an interview from Changhua TV News Channel. Lin spoke highly of the family group’s Hakka poem reciting, which had never been done before in Changhua, and said it not only emphasizes the importance of Changhua Raoping Hakka, but also shows Mrs. Qiu’s efforts on reviving the language. The corps learned a lot from this performance, andthey all cherished the opportunity to be part of the promotion team.

The corps then interviewed Mr. Jianbiao Lin, the chairperson of Xingxian Poetry Association. He talked about the history of the Association: in 1804, Wenchang temple was set up in Yuanlin, and in 1823, Xingxian Poetry Association came to being, which was a private school (that is, Yongjing Raoping Hakka Loyal House, also known as Mrs. Meidu Qiu’s ancestral house). They invited Mr. Yaoyan Qiu from Raoping, Guangdong to teach at the place, and he was then promoted as the dean of Xingxian School. In 1881, the fifth ranked officer Cuiying Qiu (Mrs. Meidu Qiu’s ancestor) raised funds to rebuild Xingxian School and acted as the dean himself, teaching in the School, followed by the grandson of Yaoyan Qiu, Mr. Hai Qiu. In 1924, literary men of Xingxian organized Xingxian Poetry Association and studied Sinology ever since. Now, with 200 years’ history, Xingxian Poetry Association has become the most long-standing association.

Xingxian Poetry Association has many talent literary men in Changhua County, who master calligraphy, poetry, and painting, and their skills in writing Taiwanese poems are also above average. However, the Xingxian School used to be a culture center for Raoping Hakka people; it never had any Raoping Hakka poets. As a result, it prevented the promotion of Raoping culture, which was a bit shame. So, in 2014, Chairperson Jianbiao Lin especially went to Mrs. Qiu’s Raoping Hakka Family class at Jing Siou Elementary School and learned simple Hakka words quickly. With Mrs. Qiu’s help, he also understood something of Raoping Hakka culture he couldn’t make sense before. Therefore, in his eyes, Mrs. Qiu is very respectable. She self taught Raoping Hakka and successfully revives the language, carrying forward Xingxian spirit, which is a great contribution for our Changhua Raoping Hakka culture.