Tourism Administration, Republic of China (Taiwan)-Taiwan Tourism Administration's Taiwan Tourism Information Website

The 3rd Matsu Biennial Festival runs from September 5th through November 16th. The Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration, are co-hosting a special media tour. They've invited major media outlets and travel agencies nationwide to explore the Nangan and Beigan exhibition areas for a first-hand glimpse into this archipelago revitalized by art. Matsu not only offers memories of battles and magnificent ocean views, but it is also a nurturing and inspiring place for creativity and culture. Through on-site media visits and in-depth coverage, more people will be able to see how Matsu has been transformed into a sensory feast combining nature and contemporary art.

With a ten-year vision and held biennially, the Matsu festival integrates art, education, and architecture. Through curatorial and local revitalization, it aims to feature Matsu's four townships, five islands and their seashores as art is integrated into daily life. The event also includes an island-hopping tour that allows visitors to experience the unique customs and culture of Matsu while appreciating the artwork.

In the festival's first edition, themed "Island Brewing," visitors explored Matsu's cultural heritage. The second festival, "Ruby Red," featured winemaking and historic battles. This year's third edition of the festival is curated under the theme "Pha-Jiu: Your Ocean, My Land." Pha-Jiu is an important fishing technique passed down through generations in Matsu. A village would plant bamboo stakes in the sea over about ten days to anchor their nets, symbolizing the wisdom and faith of a symbiotic relationship with the ocean. The curatorial team chose this name to convey the Matsu people's resilience and collective memory in harmony with the sea. The exhibition features the works of 55 artists from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Australia and Spain. They transformed islands that included Nangan, Beigan, Dongyin, and Juguang into art stages. Through landscape installations, videos, sound, and community collaboration, the works showcase Matsu's border culture, historical memory, and contemporary expressions. Visitors can encounter artworks while strolling through settlements and military relics, experiencing the unique charm of "islands as exhibition spaces."

The festival's distinguishing feature, according to the Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters, is its integration of art into tunnels, outposts, settlements, ports, and natural landscapes, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Matsu's history and daily life while appreciating the artwork. This "symbiotically embracing the site" model not only showcases Matsu's rich cultural heritage but also allows travelers to naturally immerse themselves in the artistic atmosphere during their journey. The Scenic Area Headquarters is also promoting an "Island Purification - Matsu Slow Hiking Tour," where visitors can explore the island on foot, slowly walking along the granite coastline and through settlement paths. As they walk, they can experience the dialogue between art and the environment, and the unique natural and cultural charm of Matsu.

The Tourism Administration's Director-General, Yu-Hsiu Chen, welcomes visitors from near and far to visit Matsu and enjoy this unique international art event! Amid the mountains, sea, and sounds of the wind, visitors can experience the awe-inspiring artworks on the island. From light and shadow installations hidden in tunnels, to landscape creations that illuminate settlements, to artworks that dance with nature, all will bring refreshing surprises. Bring your friends and family to the Matsu Biennial festival and discover the special creative energy of the islands!

For festival details and artwork introductions, please visit the event's official website.