Taiwan Church News
3204 Edition
July 22-28, 2013
Church Ministry News
Children Summer Camp to Learn Taiwan’s First Printing Press
Reported by Chen Yi-hsuan
After the reinvigorating of Taiwan’s first printing press, now exhibited in the ground floor of Taiwan Church Press, the first visiting group came from the children summer camp of American Eagle Institute. On July 19, these children came to learn about this famous printing machine. As children and teachers were very interested to know about this printing press, their curiosity were satisfied by the introduction explained to them. Especially, all the children got very excited to experience the words printed out by their own hands.
Teacher Chen Hsin-yi, who lead this children summer camp, expressed that due to her boss learning from the media that TCP has an exhibit of this reinvigorating printing press, these children were invited here to experience a course called “Media Fantasy”.
Taiwan Church Press supplied three kinds of printing block for children to do their trial print. The first printing block is front page of the 1st issue of “Taiwan Fu-sian Kau-Hoe Po”, which was the former organization of current “Taiwan Church News”; the second is the Chinese character “Hok”(Happiness); the third is “Hui-Hek” (Abolish Nuclear Power). Most children pickup the Chinese character “Hok” to do their trial print, as most familiar to them. Less chose the front page of the 1st issue of “Taiwan Fu-sian Kau-Hoe Po”, which was technically most difficult to print. Even less chose to print “Hui-Hek”, showing the children felt strange toward POj, a romanization of Amoy Vernacular, as mother tongue education is still a wilderness call today.
One thing very interesting was revealed during this visit. David Mactaggart, the American English Teacher of these children, who also originated from Glasgow of Scotland where Rev. Thomas Barclay came from. He is very proud to witness the revival of this historical printing press, especially Rev. Thomas Barclay who had done such a remarkable contribution to Taiwan is his country folks.
The reinvigorating exhibit of Taiwan’s First Printing Press inside Taiwan Church Press is now under way and open to the public tour and reservation. Fees for each person is 100 NTD, including personal trial print once and 50 NTD TCP coupon to buy souvenirs or products. Further information is available to contact Ms. Lee at ext. 131 of (06) 235-6277.
Translated by Peter Wolfe
Children displayed their trial prints from Taiwan’s first printing press.
Photo by Chen Yi-hsuan
