Award-Winning Hualien Diabolo Students Share Culture in Yamagata

(中央社訊息服務20260319 10:59:39)As part of its ongoing initiative to expand international education and city-to-city exchange, the Hualien County Government today (March 12) arranged for Hualien students to visit Tsuruoka Municipal Kamigo Elementary School in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Through folk sports performances, classroom interactions, and hands-on activities, the program allowed Hualien students to broaden their global outlook while introducing Japanese children to the distinctive cultures of Taiwan and Hualien. This visit serves as a testament to the deep friendship between Taiwan and Japan.

The Hualien County Department of Education stated that the exchange was arranged to coincide with the county’s official mission to Japan for tourism promotion. The diabolo team from the National Dong Hwa University Experimental Primary School was selected for this visit following their outstanding performance at the 2025 National Folk Sports Competition, where they earned nine top awards and 19 awards in total. Led by the county government team, Principal Chang Hui-Chuan and coach Tseng Tie-Cheng, the delegation engaged with local Japanese students through performances of diabolo, one of Taiwan’s most iconic folk arts.

During the exchange, the Hualien delegation was personally welcomed by Principal Yukinori Kondo of Kamigo Elementary School—students from both sides connected through diabolo demonstrations and interactive teaching sessions. In return, the Japanese students hosted a workshop on “Washi” (traditional Japanese paper), a craft rooted in their local heritage. This collaborative activity allowed the children to learn about each other's traditions in a joyful and lively atmosphere.

To convey Hualien’s friendship, the County Government and the school prepared specialty gifts for their Japanese hosts. These included “Hegang” honey-scented black tea from Hualien and Maroon Oriole plush dolls, which represent Hualien’s dedication to wildlife conservation. These gifts served to highlight the county’s premium agricultural products and its commitment to environmental protection.

The Hualien County Government stated that this cultural exchange allowed students to build meaningful friendships through art and shared experiences. Following the school visit, the Hualien students visited a local farm for a fruit-picking activity to gain insights into Japanese agricultural practices. By fostering international engagement at a young age, the county aims to provide children with opportunities to learn through interaction. The government remains committed to promoting international education to help Hualien’s youth connect with the global community while showcasing the beauty of Hualien to the world.