Qimei Community College Rural Workshop Topic 1: Smallholder Sustainability, Co-creating a New Future

On July 27, a sun-drenched afternoon. Hosted by Qimei Community College, the 11th Community Education and Rural Development Workshop (abbreviated as the Rural Workshop), a four-day, three-night event, kicked off with lively activity at Jiasian Junior High School in Kaohsiung. In response to global climate change and the trends of energy and food crises, this year's theme was "Small Farmers and Sustainable Development," hoping that through introductions of domestic and international case studies and farm family experiences and other activities, participants could rethink, from the perspective of small farmers, possible ways for individuals and communities to put ideas into practice, so as to achieve a future of sustainable development and ecological balance.

(A-Lu, lead singer of the Lin Zhong Guang band, shares the stories behind the songs)

The last activity of the day was a rural concert full of local flavor, listening to "Lin Zhong Guang" lead singer Xiao Zelun (A-Lu) perform more than ten songs. A-Lu has not only received recognition from the Golden Melody Awards, but last year also released his first original album. Opening with "Children Away from Home," which describes his own feelings about returning home, he played a guitar, with a style that was sometimes light and lively, sometimes gentle and sorrowful. A-Lu was born in Changhua, and his songwriting widely uses Taiwanese Hokkien, often incorporating local and social issues. "As society progresses, what changes is not only economic development, but also our way of life." Facing the impact of economic development and the disappearance of traditional life and culture, A-Lu said: "I often ask myself what I want to do, and what can I do?" And music is the way he has chosen.

Outside, the stars gradually opened their eyes, and amid the touching melodies, the first day of the workshop came to a perfect close.

(Note: This article was compiled and recorded by Xie Erting, an intern at Qimei Community College)