2025 meet up Formosa 台南

    這個夏天我和哥哥到台南參加英語夏令營，我在這個夏令營學到用英文介紹台灣的古蹟。參加這個夏令營的原因是我想要讓自己的英文變得更厲害，跟任何國家的人交流時都是從自己的文化開始，而世界通用的語言是英文，所以用英文介紹台灣的話，大家會比較聽得懂。

2025 meet up Formaosa夏令營--台南

    

    前幾天，我們去台南參加夏令營，名字叫meet up Formosa。這是一個教我們用英文來介紹台南名勝古蹟的夏令營。

meet up Formosa夏令營是除了美國或外國夏令營以外，是我遇過老師英文最好的夏令營，老師們都能發音標準的用英文講課、導覽、給我們建議，就連平常和我們講話的時候也都用英文。這樣讓我們可以一邊用英文學歷史，一邊熟悉英文的環境，我覺得很不錯。這是英語夏令營必須擁有的特點之一。

第一天，我們開幕活動完就開始介紹台灣歷史，先是介紹權力的轉移：台灣曾被葡萄牙人稱作美麗的島（Formosa)，成為世界史上台灣最早的紀錄，後來荷蘭人統治了台灣南部，還蓋了熱蘭遮城和普羅民遮城，熱蘭遮城成了台灣的第一個城堡，也就是安平古堡。在荷蘭人統治的時候，西班牙人有短暫的佔領北部，但是很快就被荷蘭人趕走。之後，鄭成功將荷蘭人趕走，成功佔領台南，他的兒子鄭經在那邊蓋了台灣第一間漢語學校——台南孔廟，接著寧靖王來到台灣，蓋了寧靖王府，並在死前留有遺書要將寧靖王府送給民眾作為廟宇，於是寧靖王府成為很有名的大天后宮。20年後，鄭氏家族被施琅打下，清朝接收台灣，在荷蘭人的普羅民遮城遺跡上面蓋了一座廟，成為現在的赤崁樓。日治時期時，日本人蓋了林百貨、台南美術館、台灣文學博物館，又蓋了七個圓環，許多的基礎建設，對台南的影響很大。二戰之後，中華民國接收台灣的統治權。了解這些歷史讓我們打下了認識台南古蹟的基礎。

下午，我們去到了赤崁樓和附近的大天后宮參觀。我們在那裡看到了中國神話裡的神龍，以及他的九個小孩。其中讓我印象最深刻的是在赤崁樓看到了九隻贔（ㄅㄧˋ）屭（ㄒㄧˋ），那是一隻有著烏龜身體的龍，喜歡搬很重的東西，在赤崁樓裡，那九隻贔屭各搬了一個石碑。

除了贔屭以外，我們在大天后宮裡看到另外一種龍的小孩，是我們常常在廟裡面的香爐上看到的動物。一開始我以為那是獅子，但是那其實是龍的另外一個小孩，叫做狻（ㄙㄨㄢ ）猊（ㄋㄧˊ），有著獅子的身體且負責掌管火，很可愛。除了這兩種龍之外，我們常常忽略「椒圖」，那是一種背著蝸牛殼的龍，負責掌管門，在廟前的螺旋狀石雕便是椒圖。

看完廟之後，我們到附近一間很具有歷史性的電影院——全美戲院。那是一家二輪電影院，裡面在播已經下架的電影，所以票價比較低。老師告訴我們，這家電影院的電影海報都是手繪的，雖然不像印刷版的海報那麼的真實，但卻有畫家自己的風格，我個人是還蠻喜歡的。

第二天，我們再次出去到其他古蹟參觀。我們先走到了林百貨。那是全台灣的第二間百貨公司，也是當時全台第二高的建築。

在這些古蹟之中，赤崁樓最讓我印象深刻，因為它的英文名字叫做chikan tower，我一直覺得它聽起來很像chicken Tower（雞塔），但它其實是荷蘭人所蓋的普羅民遮城遺跡，上面的寺廟則是清朝時蓋的，所以和「雞」無關。我認為赤崁樓的名字應該要改成用台語翻譯成英文，叫做「洽看tower」，至少比較好聽一點，不會被搞錯。

在導覽的過程中，我介紹的景點是台灣文學博物館。那是一棟用紅磚🧱和小石頭🪨砌成的建築，大門前面有好幾根羅馬柱🏛️，屋頂也是用法式的綠色圓頂，前面還有一個非常大的圓環，而他本來的用途是日治時期的台南府辦事館。我介紹那邊的原因是因為我覺得那棟建築很大，還有西式的風格，不但很漂亮，而且還是日治時期時很具代表性的建築，可以從它的外觀看出西方文化對台灣、日本的影響。不知道你是否認同我的想法？

Hello everyone,

My name is Chen Hsi, and I’m your charming tour guide for today. I come from the vibrant city of Taipei, and I’m very happy to be here with all of you in beautiful Tainan. I’m currently 12 years old, a seventh grader, and I’ve had the chance to travel to many countries like Japan, the United States, Vietnam, Singapore ,and a few others. These experiences made me curious about the world and helped me understand the importance of culture and history. Besides that, I really enjoy studying math and science—they are subjects I’m especially good at!

Now, I’m very excited to introduce you to this fascinating building right in front of us: The National Museum of Taiwan Literature.

🏛️ About the Building’s Structure

Firstly, Let’s start by talking about the structure and architecture of this museum.

This building was originally constructed by the Japanese during their rule in Taiwan. When you look closely, you’ll notice that rocks and red bricks were used to build the walls. These materials were chosen not just for strength, but also for style. The building is designed in a Western architectural style, which was quite popular in Japan at that time.

Take a look at the front entrance—do you see the tall Roman columns? They are a clear example of classical European influence. On both sides of the building, there are green sloped rooftops, designed in a French style, which adds elegance to the structure. Doesn’t it feel like we’ve stepped into a piece of European history right here in Tainan?

🏛️ Historical Use and Transformation

Now let’s move on to the history and function of this building.

Does anyone know what this building was originally used for?

Well, let me tell you. The building was completed in 1916, during the Japanese period. Back then, it was not a museum—it was the Tainan Prefectural Hall, which served as one of the most important government offices in southern Taiwan. It was a place where key political decisions were made.

Years later, the building was transformed into the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, and it officially opened to the public. This change was very meaningful, as it became the first national-level museum in Taiwan.

Inside the museum, you can find works of literature written by Taiwanese authors. I am gonna introduce an important Taiwanese author to you. His name is Yeh Shih Tao. He was born in a rich family in the Japanese period. Then Japan lost the war and gave Taiwan to ROC. Between the transition of the governments, his family lost lots of lands. He became poor. He worked as a school teacher and author living in a small house. He continued writing the story of Tainan. He said that no land, no literature. He helps us understand how important Taiwanese identity is through writing and storytelling.

🌞 Japanese Influence – The Roundabouts

Before we end, I want to draw your attention to something right in front of the museum: this large roundabout.

Make a guess, how many roundabouts are there in Tainan?

Tainan has a total of seven roundabouts, and this one is the biggest because it’s located directly in front of the former government hall.

Here’s a question for you: Why did the Japanese build these roundabouts?

You might notice that from above, the roundabout looks like a sun with rays, similar to the Japanese flag. The Japanese designed it this way on purpose—to show their authority. They hoped people would see these sun-shaped roundabouts and feel respect to Japan.

This design wasn’t originally from Japan though—they got the idea from Western cities, especially in Europe, which they considered modern and advanced. The Japanese wanted to make Taiwan feel like a modern, organized place too, and these roundabouts were part of that plan.

🎯 Summary

So today, I’ve introduced you to:

1. The architecture of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature,

2. The historical background and usage of the building, and

3. The influence of Japanese culture and design, including the roundabouts you see in Tainan.

This building is more than just a museum—it represents the beauty of Taiwanese culture.

If you have time later today, I really encourage you to go inside and explore the museum. You’ll find many interesting exhibits, and maybe even discover a few wonderful Taiwanese writers.

This brings us to the end of our tour.

Thank you so much for listening! I hope you enjoyed learning about the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, and I wish you a wonderful rest of your day here in Tainan!

這次的夏令營不但充實，老師英文又好，還可以學到非常多有關古蹟的知識，非常值得，以後我可以將這些知識介紹給我的同學。