Taroko, with its towering mountains, gorge, cliffs and diversity of species, seems like a masterpiece created by the magical power of the God of Heaven on earth, its richness and changeability always providing a feast for the senses. Recently, the national park headquarters has produced a film combining photographs and animation for children, “Magic Taroko,” which takes young viewers into this magical place and reveals the secrets of nature.

The first showing of “Magic Taroko” was held in Taroko Visitor Center on June 15 and was attended by 60 third grade children from nearby Xibao, Chongde and Fushi elementary schools. In the film, the legends of the Taroko tribe are merged with the natural scenery of Taroko; with Haxi the giant as a guide the film tells a vivid story and the eyes of the young audience remained glued to the screen throughout. Director Pan Jian-hong(導演潘建宏) and illustrator Lai Ma made a special trip to attend the film’s premiere to share the ideas behind the making of the film with the children and were very pleased to receive such an enthusiastic response.

21-minutes long, “Magic Taroko” links together three Taroko tribe myths. The God of Heaven, emitting smoke from his nostrils, created high mountains and rivers on the featureless earth and thus all living creatures were born. The giant Haxi, whose snoring sound is as loud as thunder and who makes a “haxi, haxi sound,” mischievously takes young viewers on a tour of the mountains and rivers of Taroko, during which they make friends with wild animals; he also tells them the stories of the Taroko Tribe. They relied on Taroko’s living things for life and deeply believe that only people who work hard when they are alive can cross the rainbow bridge and be accepted by their ancestors. Through this linking of mythical stories, viewers explore the secrets of Taroko.

Taroko National Park Management Headquarters director Zeng Wei-hong(曾偉宏處長) said, environmental education for children has been promoted by the park headquarters for a long time and it is hoped that “Magic Taroko” will show children the beauty and splendor of Taroko and that they will, as a result, care more about the environment. Schools of various grades often visit Taroko for outdoor education and the park headquarters will now begin showing “Magic Traoko” to groups that book in advance, and will present the film to elementary schools across Hualian County for use in teaching.

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News issued by Taroko National Park Headquarters
Translated by Kevin Lax