Literature and history groups have initiated a movement to preserve the dormitory village used by Taiwan’s railway workers in Changhua City during the Japanese colonial period. The groups had previously reached a consensus with the Changhua County Government to tear down 22 and keep 18 of the buildings. Infighting has broken out because some of the groups are not satisfied with this arrangement. These groups held a joint press conference on June 16 asking the government to conduct a thorough investigation that would include the entire area and temporarily not to tear down any of the dorms.
There are a total of 40 buildings in the complex of Japanese-style wooden railway dorms in Changhua City. An urban renewal project threatens to have the buildings demolished. More than 20 literature and history groups, including Changhua New Life Association and Changhua Railroad Literature and History Workshop, have been relentless in trying to rescue the dorms and arguing their case. The county government has promised not to tear down 18 of the buildings and to comprehensively plan and organize everything.
Many other similar groups, including the Taiwan Railway Dorm Preservation Volunteer Group, Changhua Environmental Protection Union and the Awakening Changhua Youth Alliance, have objections to the agreement. They have filed three cultural heritage review cases with Changhua County’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, requesting that the entire area be designated as a historic relic, historic architecture or a cultural tourist attraction, and demanding that an investigation be conducted for the whole area and that none of the buildings be torn down.
Photo: Wu Wei-kung, Liberty Times
照片：自由時報記者吳為恭
On June 16, the groups put on display in the old dorm auditorium cultural artifacts that were found in the village. Vestiges from the Japanese colonial period were among the invaluable relics on display. The groups say that memories must not be dismantled, which is why they have asked the bureau to conduct a survey of the entire area and include a roadhouse in plans for the area to both preserve and reuse the area as a railroad cultural village. The groups cannot accept merely saving 18 of the buildings from being demolished.
This motion signals a rupture among the groups. Changhua New Life Association convener Chiu Ming-hsien and Changhua Railroad Literature and History Workshop secretary-general Ma Chang-hung say that if certain groups go the cultural heritage route it is sure to stall things for a while. If the buildings are designated as historic architecture or relics they cannot be touched and it would leave them with less options.
The bureau’s cultural heritage review committee held a meeting on June 16, during which it was decided that the dorms would be surveyed. A project group was also set up to discuss the matter. Prior to a decision being made, the committee will notify the Taiwan Railways Administration not to tear down any dorms for the time being.
Photo: Wu Wei-kung, Liberty Times
照片：自由時報記者吳為恭
(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat)
文史團體發起保留日治時代彰化市台鐵舊宿舍村運動，之前已和彰化縣政府達成緩拆十八棟，另二十二棟拆除的共識，但另有文史團體不滿，爆發內訌，六月十六日召開記者會，要求全區調查、全區緩拆。
台鐵彰化日式木造舊宿舍村共四十棟，由於都更計畫之故，面臨拆除，半線新生會、半線鐵道文史工作室二十多個文史團體一再搶救、陳情，縣府終於答應緩拆十八棟，再做完善的規劃。
不過，台鐵宿舍村保留志工群、彰化環保聯盟、喚醒彰化青年聯盟等多個文史團體，不同意此項協議，分別向文化局提出三案的文化資產審議案，提出全區指定為古蹟、歷史建築或文化景觀，要求全區調查、全區緩拆。
他們六月十六日在舊宿舍村禮堂，展示從宿舍村找出來的文物，其中還有日治時期的文物，彌足珍貴。他們表示，記憶不能拆解，要求文化局進行全區調查，同時納入扇形車庫一起規劃，朝向鐵道文化村方向去保存及再利用，他們不接受只緩拆十八棟。
此一行動宣告文史團體決裂，之前爭取到緩拆十八棟的半線新生會召集人邱明憲和半線鐵道文史工作室總幹事馬昌宏表示，別的文史團體要走文資審議的路線，時間會拖長，若被指定為歷史建築或古蹟，反而動不了，活化空間變小。
文化局十六日召開文化資產審議委員會，決議列冊追蹤，成立專案小組再討論，未決議前發文台鐵先全部緩拆。
（自由時報記者吳為恭）
A: Taiwanese-language pop singer Jody Chiang is finally staging a comeback after having “turned off the microphone” for nine years. B: Yeah, she’s set to perform for the National Day celebration at the Taipei Dome this Saturday. A: As the best Taiwanese-language singer, it would be a big loss if she continued her hiatus. B: Recently, Chiang revealed that she quit singing in 2015 due to cancer. A: That’s shocking. But it’s great to see her healthy and able to turn the mic back on again. A: 台語歌后江蕙「封麥」9年後，終於即將復開唱了。 B: 對啊她本週六將參加國慶晚會，在大巨蛋開唱。 A: 江蕙可是最棒的台語歌手，如果不唱歌太可惜了。 B: 她最近才透露，其實2015年是因為罹癌才會「封麥」。 A: 真是令人震驚！能再看到她健康地「開麥」太好啦。 （By Eddy Chang,
A: Apart from Taiwanese-language pop diva Jody Chiang’s comeback, South Korean girl group (G)I-dle is also performing in Taiwan this weekend. B: I know. They have concerts at the Taipei Arena on Saturday and Sunday. A: Actually, to meet their fans’ high demand, they’ve added one more show on Friday. B: They’re even adding a show? That shows how popular they are. A: My favorite group member is Taiwan’s Susan Yeh, known by her stage name “Shuhua.” Let’s go cheer her on. A: 本週末除了江蕙復出，南韓熱門女團(G)I-dle也將開唱唷。 B: 我知道，他們本週六、日將在小巨蛋開唱。 A: 應粉絲的要求，他們本週五還會加場。 B: 還加場？不愧是韓流人氣女團。 A: 我最喜歡台灣團員葉舒華！我們快去幫她加油吧。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park is a great example of how art can be combined with environmental conservation. __1__ on the ocean floor of the Caribbean Sea, this aquatic gallery was the brainchild of British sculptor and ecologist Jason deCaires Taylor in 2006. The park features sculptures that function as man-made coral reefs, with holes and shelters to attract marine life, thus forming a strikingly beautiful __2__. The sculptures are placed in a way that diverts visitors from nearby natural reefs. This creative approach to ecological preservation demonstrates how art can inspire, educate, and contribute to the sustainability of our environment. The
City life moves fast, and escalators are a lifesaver for busy commuters. __1__ It is widely believed that this practice keeps traffic flowing smoothly and avoids congestion. While on the road, drivers of slower vehicles are required to remain within the outside lane so that those traveling at faster speeds may pass in the inside lane. Similar to traffic lanes that separate vehicles driving at different speeds, this convention on escalators allows for both efficiency and courtesy. __2__ This system reflects an unspoken understanding that facilitates shared use of the space. However, the city of Nagoya, Japan, has
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