The largest reservoir in China is also the art season exhibition area, unveiled on Zeng Wen’s birthday

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Tainan City Government and the Southern Water Branch of the Department of Water Resources jointly organized the Land Art Season event, which also celebrated the birthday of Tsengwen Reservoir.

[Reporter Wu Junfeng/Tainan Report] The Southern District Water Resources Branch of the Water Resources Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs cooperated with the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Tainan City Government to hold the 2026 Mattauw Land Art Season "Celebrating Zeng Wen's Birthday and Living with Water" at the Zengwen Reservoir, which has the largest capacity in the country. The event opened lively today, connecting the reservoirs, settlements and life in the basin, echoing the Land Art Season's concept of taking the entire river basin as a perspective and exploring the symbiotic relationship between man and nature.

The event was held in front of the yacht dock of Zengwen Reservoir, where the public art work "Yungu Fish Trap" was located. The Alishan Tsou Bagpipe Euvuvu Performing Arts Troupe was invited to give an opening performance. Starting from the mountains and forests and indigenous culture in the upper reaches of Zengwen River, it connected to the middle and lower reaches of the river basin. Through the connection between the work and the site, it presented the multiple relationships between indigenous culture, water resources construction and the river basin environment.

The upper reaches of the Zengwen River is an important traditional area and living environment for the Tsou people. Fish traps are important tools in the traditional fishing and hunting culture of the Tsou people. A specially designed cake inspired by the landscape of the Zengwen Reservoir was specially made on site. The distinguished guests were invited to send blessings to the Zengwen Reservoir and pay tribute to the reservoir that has been responsible for water supply, flood control and irrigation for many years.

Today, the "Zengwen Reservoir Public Art Project Archives" and the work "The Breath of the Zengwen Stream Basin - Our Breathing Memories" are simultaneously launched, and the "Zeng Zheng is happy to see you" Zengwen Reservoir birthday celebration tour is organized. Through birthday celebrations, art exhibitions and river basin walks, the public is led to understand the Zengwen Stream Basin from different angles and explore the living landscape intertwined with water resources construction, natural environment and local culture.

Ng Jiaheng, director of the Southern Water Resources Department, said that in addition to celebrating the 53rd birthday of Tsang Man Reservoir, he also officially opened the "Tsang Man Reservoir Public Art Project Archives". Through the display, he reviewed the promotion process and achievements of the public art project, and also hoped to let more people understand the connection between water conservancy projects, artistic creation and local culture, so that the reservoir is not only an important water resource facility, but also a place where everyone can get close to nature, understand local culture, and experience art.

Lin Weixu, Deputy Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, said that the 2026 Mattauw Land Art Season has the theme of "Meandering Pendulum: The shallow mountains of Tsang Wen River". In conjunction with the Nanshui District, in conjunction with the public art installation funds allocated by the "Tsang Wen Reservoir Water Release Channel and Expansion of Dredging Project", a three-month art action will be launched from September to December.