Department of Cultural Affairs

 

Photo by the Red House
Two tricycles opened the celebration of the Ximen Red House’s 111^th building anniversary. Tricycles used to be the main transportation between
the Red House and the Bopiliao Historic Block.
 

By Dory Chung
 
Built in 1908, the Ximen Red House is celebrating its 111^th anniversary this December. The Bopiliao Historical Block, another historical place in Taipei’s Wanhua District, is part of this celebration that includes a series of events meant to evoke memories of a glorious past.
 
The theme of the Ximen Red House celebration is “Red House Memories”, in celebration of its birthday. Bopiliao’s theme is “Enjoy the Winter at the West Side Festival.” The historic block lies on the west side of Taipei City.
 
The opening event of the anniversary given the name “Party on the West Side” took place at the Ximen Red House on December 1st. DOCA Deputy Commissioner Chen Yuxin (陳譽馨) gave the opening speech.
 
Six street artists performed at the event. They included Yang Yuanqing (楊元慶), the yoyo Guinness World Records holder, Papi Bucket (巴奇先生), the street drummer, Yamin Wei (魏亞民), a water pipe player, TB All Star, the Ninja street dancers, diabolo player Fang Tingliang (方庭良), and Liu Mengcheng (劉孟誠), the mime artist. Each performance was truly excellent.
 
Ten tricycles were parked to the right of the stage and beside the space with chairs for the audience. The tricycles helped to bring back memories of the time when they were a popular mode of transport in the west side of Taipei. They later carried guests from the Ximen Red House square to the Bopiliao Historic Block.
 
Traditional Han clothes were also available for those who would like to intensify the historical feeling as they rode the tricycles or simply strolled outside the Red House.

Gateway to Taipei's old section
 

Photo by the Red House
Chen Yuxin (陳譽馨), the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs welcomes everyone to the press conference.

 
The Ximen Red House has been a popular amusement area for people since 1908. It is not only an icon of Taipei’s old town area, but also the entrance to the Ximen tourist area. To celebrate the 111th (pronounced as “yi yi yi”) anniversary, the organizers used homophones such as 伊 (that), 移 (to transform), 倚 (to depend on), 異 (to be different). “伊日生活” (that day’s life) expresses the special daily products for “that” day. “移轉史” (historical legacy) expresses the multi-faceted history of the Red House. “倚生相伴” (life’s reliable companion) conveys the fact that Ximen Red House has become a favorite wedding photo shoot location. “異樣夜遊” (unusual night’s journey) means that one would experience an extraordinary experience that night. The expressions suggest that those who attended this 111^th anniversary would take away diverse and abundant impressions of the Ximen Red House.
 
Once a market, Ximen Red House was transformed into a movie theater, and then an opera theater. It is now a cultural creative center that not only preserves much historical wealth, but also exudes much creative energy. It is the place to be for anyone who wants to understand Taipei’s cultural and creative Industries. This is one reason why the anniversary celebration has been growing every year. More and more people get involved in it too, giving the west side of town a new and different ambience. 
 
Re-opened with a new look
 

Photo by the Red House
A performance in front of the Red House to remind people how lively this area was in the past.

 
The octagonal building reopened last March after a large-scale renovation that started in 2016. It now has a more generous space that heightens its historical feel. The main hall on the first floor has a photo and artifacts exhibition depicting a century of Taiwan’s history. On the second floor, steel structural materials were used to reinforce decades-old brick walls.
 
During the Japanese occupation period, the Ximen Red House was the central market where the latest products were sold. It is now one of the most popular tourist attractions on the west side of Taipei. Taiwanese creative industry firms used the designs of the shops in the Cruciform building’s Creative Boutique area in their collaborative ventures with other countries’ creative industry firms.
 

Photo by the Red House
The “Long Life Tea House” has a series of events in December where guests are encouraged to talk about the Wanhua area.

 
Guided tours every Saturday afternoon in December tell the story of the Red house from different angles. There are night events in the west side of town for people to enjoy in the evenings. The Red House is usually closed on Mondays, but on December 16th it will remain open for 11 newly married couples to take wedding photos. Its having become a preferred wedding photo shoot location adds a new face to its history. There are also some discounts on some products for sale in the Red House.
 
Another landmark in Wanhua
 

Photo by the Red House
Lin Liqing (林立青), a famous writer, guides visitors through a tour
of the Bopiliao Historical Block.

The Bopiliao Historical Block is close to the Longshan Temple. It was formed early in the Qing dynasty and existed through the Japanese colonization and the early Post World War II period. The buildings in this block reflect the styles of the three periods. Bopiliao thus became a landmark in the Wanhua area. In 2009, it went through an extensive restoration work after which the government designated it a historical area. It retains the atmosphere of the past and is now a cultural and educational landmark.
 
A series of events at Bopiliao, including the exhibition “Enjoy the Winter at the West Side Festival,” are meant to welcome the winter solstice foreseen to fall on December 22. The beverages, sweets, and the joyous atmosphere of the area will help people understand the Wanhua character. The old herbal tea shop “Healing Herber” (老濟安), the longtime Bopiliao resident “DD Coffee” (呆待咖啡, and the traditional restaurant “Sweet Potato Jelly” (涼粉伯), will introduce visitors to the past and the present Wanhua. On December 7th, under a starry evening sky, spectators enjoyed the classical animation “Grandma and Her Ghosts” on the old Bopiliao street. The animation introduces a lot of Taiwanese folk beliefs.
 
The winter solstice is the longest night of the year. On December 22nd, Bopiliao also invited the DJ, Lin Maowang (林貓王), to play classical music for everyone. People can truly enjoy the winter together in the west side of town and welcome the arrival of the New Year. 
  
For more information, please visit the websites:
Ximen Red House:  https://www.redhouse.taipei
Boppiliao Historical Block: https://www.bopiliao.taipei