Laughter and tears marked the first official reunion yesterday of former residents of Losheng Sanatorium and activists who rallied for its preservation, nearly two years after most of the buildings were demolished.
Losheng Sanatorium, located in Sinjhuang City (新莊), Taipei County, was built in the 1930s by the Japanese colonial government to isolate people with Hansen’s disease — also known as leprosy — because it was believed to be highly contagious and incurable.
A plan to demolish the sanatorium complex to make room for a mass rapid transit line met with opposition from groups who protested against the forced eviction of aged residents, many of whom had lived in the sanatorium for most of their lives.
Others considered the site an important relic of the nation’s public health history.
After about four years of campaigning to save Losheng, the government came up with a compromise plan that preserved about 41 percent of the buildings.
Despite continued opposition, demolition work went ahead in December 2008.
SAD
“I feel sad deep inside my heart seeing all we went through and how hard it was for us and for the student [activists] who were with us all the way,” Losheng resident Chou Fu-tzu (周富子) said, in tears, after watching a documentary on the long struggle to save the sanatorium.
“Many people misunderstood and criticized us. They should all watch this film, then they will know how things really were,” she said.
The film documented demonstrations and marches, as well as how police officers removed protesters and residents trying to prevent the razing of the buildings.
Many in the audience — residents and conservationists alike — shed tears during the showing.
Lan Tsai-yun (藍彩雲) was one of the last residents to be evicted on Dec. 3, 2008, and the dormitory where she had lived for most of her life was torn down the same day.
She said she was happy to see everyone again, but was saddened by the documentary.
“I’m very happy to see everyone coming back again. I always welcome you, because you’re like my children and grandchildren,” Lan said. “I’m not a good-looking person and I have a bad temper, but I’m grateful that so many people have given me so much love and support along the way.”
“We can’t do anything about what’s already gone, but what we should do now is insist the government maintain the remaining buildings properly — as it promised — so that whoever wants to come back to stay or visit can do so,” she said.
ENCOURAGEMENT
Many activists who were college students when they campaigned for Losheng returned yesterday, some with spouses or even children, to revisit the place and meet friends.
“I was one of the earliest members of the Youth Alliance for Losheng, but now I’m a middle-aged woman,” Chang Hsing-wen (張馨文) said. “I consider everyone family, so I would like to ask encourage you to share the major changes in their lives — whether you’re getting married, having a child, or are sick — with all of us.”
“Whatever becomes of you, remember what we fought for, and never give up what you believe in,” she said.
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