1.How did you initially decide to participate in Mr. Su’s explanatory training program?

Teacher Jiun-Yi is a very talkative person and joined Mr. Su’s training program because he wanted to get to know his hometown better. Throughout the course, Mr. Su would provide abundant materials, gradually deepening participants’ understanding of Tamsui’s stories.

2.How did Mr. Su lead you and the other young participants at that time?

During the participation in Mr. Su’s historical site interpretation class, he would guide everyone to explore the treasures of Tamsui, providing a deeper understanding comparable to university-level studies. The most memorable aspect of listening to Mr. Su’s explanations was realizing that he had been doing this for 30 years. His skills had become proficient, and the content of his explanations had become more diverse and colorful. Mr. Su would adapt his approach based on different environments, emphasizing that the most crucial element in interpretation was the emotional connection one had with the land. This experience influenced Mr. Jyun-Yi’s approach to guiding visitors.

3.Do you think your interpretative services during those years have had an impact on the cultural development of Tamsui in the subsequent years?

For Mr. Jyun-Yi, in terms of future cultural activities or preservation efforts, he believes there will be a difference. One expression of this is not merely guiding with ancient poems; for example, when guiding through Mackay Street, Su Ba would quietly write something and slip it to us – that was his dream. Perhaps at that time, he felt that Mackay Street wasn’t just about one group of people walking together; it might include kids from Mackay Street, local students, and others.

4.What is the difference in significance between your current professional guiding work and your previous volunteer experience?

Currently, apart from being an employee or an external instructor, I may need to seek additional opportunities. The current focus is more customer-oriented, particularly when the audience is students. With the 2019 curriculum and our competency-based courses, the approach involves interpreting or translating in a more modern way. For instance, using contemporary methods to provide explanations or translations.

5.Can you talk about what you hope to achieve for present-day Tamsui through your work in cultural history and interpretation?

Teacher Junyi believes that the school should aim for a broader and more expansive perspective with this matter. However, despite many positive aspects, it seems that many individuals are only engaged in explaining ancient texts. He does not treat it as a business opportunity. Since there is a chance to connect with so many people, I feel that I should give it a try. If successful, it could pave the way for others, making the endeavor less challenging in the future.

Official website：https://www.tamsuitraveler.com/