Presidential Office reopens with Hakka folk music and Wu Yongji rock performance

As the center of national high power and a symbol of democratic openness, the Office of the President of the Republic of China has long continued to narrow the distance between the head of state's office and the general public through routine holiday open house events. The Office of the President officially announced today that it will hold another visitor day event on Sunday the 17th of this month from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This upcoming opening not only covers many representative historical and exhibition spaces within the building, but also specially plans rich cultural performances, inviting the modern Hakka folk band "HoNi" and Wu Yong-ji, lead singer of the renowned band Chairman, to perform live on site. Through the combination of music and art, the event aims to showcase Taiwan's diverse and inclusive cultural heritage.

According to the visitor routes and plans announced by the Office of the President, the areas open to the public that day are quite extensive, including the Grand Auditorium—which symbolizes national celebrations and important gatherings—as well as the solemn front plaza and multiple permanent and special exhibition spaces. These exhibition spaces typically display precious historical materials on Taiwan's democratization process, artifacts of past presidents, and artistic creations showcasing Taiwan's local customs and culture. Through regular openings, the Office of the President has transformed from a heavily guarded forbidden zone in the past into a public educational venue where citizens can easily approach and understand the nation's history and democratic achievements, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists as well as families to visit on holidays.

In addition to static historical guided tours and exhibition viewings, the dynamic arts and cultural performances are a major highlight of the open house event on the 17th. The Office of the President has specially invited the modern Hakka folk band "HoNi," which has received notable attention in the music scene in recent years, alongside Wu Yong-ji, lead singer of Chairman and an important representative figure in Taiwan's rock and folk music circles, to perform live. This arrangement not only echoes the nation's emphasis on and promotion of diverse ethnic cultures in recent years, but also brings Hakka music into the nation's highest political hall, demonstrating the vitality of Hakka culture in contemporary Taiwanese society that combines tradition with innovation. The inclusion of Wu Yong-ji further adds a unique depth intertwined with local rock and folk music to the performances, which is expected to bring a visual and auditory cultural feast to the visiting public.

The tradition of regularly holding holiday open house events by the Office of the President embodies profound political and social significance. Following Taiwan's democratic transition and political rotations, returning power to the people and maintaining openness and transparency have consistently been the basic expectations of all sectors for national institutions. By breaking down the high-walled image of the authoritarian era and allowing ordinary citizens to walk into this century-old historic building through regular visitor days to personally experience the atmosphere of democratic constitutional governance, the Office of the President is itself implementing an important practice of democratic education and civic participation. Each opening is not merely a sightseeing visit, but a dialogue of trust between the state and the people, allowing the public to understand that the Office of the President is a public asset belonging to all citizens.

From a broader social impact perspective, integrating music and artistic performances into the open house events of the Office of the President also helps shape Taiwan's national identity of cultural diversity. By inviting local musicians such as Hakka folk artists to perform, the office of the head of state is no longer merely a cold symbol of political power, but a cultural stage bearing the voices of the diverse ethnic groups on this land. Such events attract people of different age groups and backgrounds, helping to promote mutual understanding and cultural appreciation among ethnic groups. The Office of the President sincerely urges the public to enthusiastically visit on the 17th, walk into this historic building together during the weekend holiday, and experience the fruits of democratic openness and the rich local musical culture of Taiwan.

(Source: Central News Agency)