In Taiwan, the Hakka people have a rich and vibrant cultural history that has long shaped the island’s identity. Yet, like many indigenous and minority communities around the world, the Hakka’s stories and traditions have often been overlooked, overshadowed by periods of colonial rule and authoritarian governance. The website We Remember: The Commemorative Form of the Memory of the Guest Village in the Local Form (https://www.werememberhakka.com) aims to address this historical amnesia by highlighting and preserving the collective memory of Hakka villages in Taiwan.
Reclaiming Collective Memory
“We Remember” is more than just a website—it’s a movement focused on the reconstruction of Hakka memory through creative design and community participation. Taiwan’s history, shaped by diverse colonial powers and the lasting effects of authoritarian rule, has caused many cultural narratives to be lost or forgotten over time. The Hakka, as one of Taiwan’s key ethnic groups, have particularly felt the impact of this historical forgetting.
The project acknowledges that “Taiwan is an island of amnesia,” where historical events and cultural memories have been suppressed or left untold. The aim of We Remember is to change that by bringing forgotten Hakka stories back to life, ensuring they are preserved and passed on to future generations. The website is dedicated to reviving and rediscovering the shared experiences of the Hakka people, especially at the local village level.
The Renaissance of Hakka Culture
The revival of Hakka culture and identity is central to this initiative. While the revitalization of the Hakka language and cultural practices is key, We Remember emphasizes the importance of rediscovering collective memories—stories that truly happened but have not yet been preserved. These are stories from different perspectives: individuals, families, and villages, each offering a unique lens through which to understand Hakka history.
Events such as the Yiwei Taiwan War, the Pacific War, the 228 Incident, the White Terror, and the 823 Artillery Battle are particularly significant in shaping the collective consciousness of Taiwanese communities. For the Hakka people, these historical events have had profound impacts, and their stories deserve to be heard and commemorated. The website encourages people to look back at these events from the Hakka perspective, ensuring their inclusion in Taiwan’s broader historical narrative.
Community Involvement Through Design
One of the most unique aspects of We Remember is its focus on design as a way to commemorate local Hakka memories. The website features a Design Contest of Local Hakka Memorials, which invites artists, designers, and community members to create visual and conceptual representations of Hakka history. These commemorative designs help bring Hakka stories to life, providing a tangible way for individuals and communities to engage with their shared heritage.
The design contest is part of a larger effort to engage the Hakka community in reclaiming their own history. By participating in this initiative, people can help shape the narrative of the Hakka people, highlighting stories and events that may have otherwise remained hidden or forgotten. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of community involvement in preserving cultural memory, as it gives voice to the people whose stories are being told.
A Platform for Dialogue and Reflection
Beyond its role in preserving memory, We Remember is also a platform for ongoing dialogue and reflection. The project invites debate, discussion, and critical examination of Taiwan’s past, encouraging diverse perspectives to contribute to a shared historical consensus. This open dialogue helps ensure that Hakka history is understood in all its complexity, without erasing or oversimplifying the diverse experiences of the community.
In this way, We Remember becomes a living, evolving space—an effort not just to remember the past but to shape the future of Hakka identity in Taiwan. The website is dedicated to helping the Hakka people rediscover their collective memory, ensuring that their stories are not forgotten.
Conclusion
The We Remember project is a vital effort in preserving and revitalizing the memory of the Hakka community in Taiwan. By focusing on local memory, cultural preservation, and community involvement, the website is helping to ensure that the stories of the Hakka people are not lost to time. Through the Design Contest and other initiatives, the website encourages everyone to engage in this journey of remembering and honoring Hakka history, culture, and identity. To learn more and participate in this important movement, visit https://www.werememberhakka.com.