Korean Professor Experiences Dual Cittaslow and Acclaims the Progress with Passion

On November 28, Miaoli County invited Professor Sun to give a lecture on "Ten-Year Experience of Korea Cittaslow and Global Cittaslow Development in Recent Years" to the representatives from industries, government, and universities. Also, he made a tour of Nangzhuang Township to experience Saisiyat dancing in Gagaou’an (Saisiyat Tribe), as well as, the Hakka Lei cha (pounded tea) and Tung Blossom Windmills in Nanjiang Leisure Agriculture Area. He then visited many sites and attractions such as Penglai River Ecology Park, Shisanjian Old Street in Guihua Lane , Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Shengxing Station, Longteng Bridge.

Through the cultural exchange and experience, Professor Sun found the most unique and attractive resource of Nanzhuang Township to be the natural ecology. Feeling the color and strength of the nature will attract the people in busy cities to the natural Cittaslow. With the features of special food, and traffic signs, he felt like being in his hometown.

He also suggested enhancing the mark of Cittaslow on public facilities in Nanzhuang Township, and selecting the main development industry, creating their own brand. In addition, Professor Sun visited Sanyi Township and found it to be very suitable for tourism and have very good conditions to develop Cittaslow. In particular, the restaurants create special dishes with local ingredients, snails, making it a typical Cittaslow restaurant. He also hoped that a comprehensive local center with the integration of local food, performances (sculpture) and handicrafts can be constructed in Sanyi Township for making local profit. 

Professor Sun also stressed that in the rapid economic development, people might lose soul in the over busy life. He has the confidence to publicize and promote his belief and the idea of Downshifting (live free, happy, and slow with soul) to the world. 30 countries have successfully transformed unknown Cittaslow cities to international cities through internet by glocalization. Through the Cittaslow development, people’s lives are improved with quality.

Moreover, the most profound feeling for Prof. Sun was the enthusiasm of the County Government and Township Office to promote Cittaslow. Cittaslow is not a show to the others, but a presentation of local culture, history, life style, and spirit of kindness and hospitality to the tourists and visitors.

Organizer: Planning Department Deputy Director Chan Tsai-Ping - Tel: 037-559834

苗栗縣政府在11月28日邀請韓國孫教授對產官學等三方代表之人士分享「韓國慢城十年經驗與近年全球慢城發展趨勢」專題演講外，並走訪南庄鄉在嘎嘎歐岸感受賽夏族舞蹈的自然風情、體驗南江休閒農業區的客家擂茶與環保桐花風車、並至蓬萊溪生態園區、桂花巷13間老街等特色景點參觀；亦前往三義木雕博物館，欣賞木藝之美。另外，著名的勝興車站、龍騰斷橋，也在參訪行程之內。 

透過文化交流與體驗，孫教授對南庄鄉擁有最獨特及最大魅力的資源是自然生態，感受大自然顏色及力量會讓忙於工作的都市人來到自然慢城，有著特色食物、車行之導覽標示等，就像回到自己的故鄉；但也建議南庄鄉在公共設施上要加強標示慢城意象，並選擇主要發展產業，創造屬於自己的品牌。另外孫教授造訪三義鄉，認為是慢城發展很好的條件，感覺是很適合遊客參訪的慢城城市，特別是店家會使用在地食材入菜，展現慢城意象〈蝸牛〉當地特色料理，是很典型的慢城餐廳；亦希望三義鄉有綜合型的地方中心，可以集結及融合在地特色食物、表演（雕刻）及手工藝品，能為地方謀利並回饋地方。 

孫教授亦強調，在經濟高速發展，生活過於忙碌，失去靈魂，他有信心將自己定義及推動漫本主義（自由幸福、慢、快樂、靈魂）推動至全世界，目前有30個國家透過網絡把不為人知的慢城城市變國際都市，就是要將地方全球化，透過慢城的運動，提昇人民生活的質量。
另外對苗栗縣最深刻的感受就是縣府和鄉公所推動慢城的熱情，所以慢城運動不是做給別人看的，而是對造訪者或觀光客展現當地文化、歷史、生活及友善、好客之精神。