I am Coco, this is a place dedicated to introducing the beautiful scenery, food, and culture of various places in Taiwan. I hope you can get to know Taiwan better through me.
我是可可，這是一個專門介紹台灣各地美景、美食與文化的地方。希望你能透過我，更加認識台灣。
Coco wanted to write this article a few years ago, but due to time constraints, I could never find a complete block of time to capture the full view. It was a lucky coincidence because it happened next to Coco’s dormitory. Today, I, Coco, will not take everyone to eat delicious food or enjoy the scenery, but instead take everyone into the streets of Taiwan to participate in a most grassroots and lively election rally!
這篇文章可可幾年前就想寫，但是礙於時間的關係，一直無法找到完整的時間去取完全景，是個幸運的偶然，因為發生在可可的宿舍旁，今天我可可不帶大家去吃美食、賞風景，而是帶大家走進台灣街頭，參加一場最草根、最熱鬧的選舉造勢活動！
The morning sun shines obliquely on the streets of Tianzhong Town. Outside the campaign headquarters, it is already filled with vibrant orchids and congratulatory potted plants sent from all walks of life. In Taiwan, these flower baskets often represent the human touch of Taiwanese people.
早上的陽光斜斜照在田中鎮街道上。競選總部外面已經排滿了各界送來的鮮豔蘭花與祝賀盆栽。在台灣這些花籃往往代表著台灣人的情味。
Under the tent next to it, the campaign staff put on vests to help pass out tea and water, and distribute small campaign items. Although it is an election rally, this kind of interaction not only draws the distance between people closer, but also shows the human touch in people’s lives.
旁邊的帳篷下，競選人員穿上背心，幫忙遞茶水、發競選小物。雖然是選舉造勢活動，但這種交流不僅能拉近了人與人之間的距離，也現了人民生活中的人情味。
The sound of gongs and drums suddenly shatters the quiet of the street, and the young team members strike the cymbals and big drums with a strong sense of rhythm. Taiwan’s elections are very interesting; they are closely integrated with the local temple culture and folk beliefs. Once the gongs and drums sound, the attention of the whole village is instantly drawn over.
鑼鼓聲突然打破了街頭的安靜，年輕的隊員們敲打著鈸與大鼓，節奏感十足。台灣的選舉很有趣，它與在地的廟宇文化、民俗信仰是緊密結合的，鑼鼓一響，全村的注意力瞬間都被吸引了過來。
The majestic yet cute lion dance also starts its performance here! The red and yellow auspicious lions leap flexibly, bow, and roll on the street following the drumbeats, drawing bursts of cheers. For Taiwanese people, lion dancing is not exclusive to temple fairs; coming to offer “auspicious lions presenting good fortune" when a campaign headquarters is established is the highest form of respect to pray for good luck and auspiciousness.
威武又可愛的舞獅也在此展開表演！紅黃相間的祥獅隨著鼓點在街道上靈活跳躍、俯仰翻滾，引來陣陣喝采。對台灣人來說，舞獅不僅是廟會專屬，在競選總部成立時前來「祥獅獻瑞」，更是祈求好彩頭、討吉利的最高敬意。
The crowd begins to pour in in large numbers at this time, and I specially took a small campaign item – a fan. The fan is printed with the candidate’s photo and slogan, which is a very direct and down-to-earth way to communicate with the public.
人潮此時開始大量湧入，特地拿了一把競選小物-扇子。扇子上印著參選人的照片與標語，這是很直接、接地氣與民眾溝通的方式。
Taiwan’s unique “electronic stage truck." A large truck can transform within a few minutes into a magnificent stage with flashing neon lights and shocking audio. On the stage, the local mothers’ dance troupe wears bright dance clothes to sing and dance energetically. This kind of creativity that combines high technology, entertainment, and politics can truly only be seen in Taiwan!
台灣獨有的「電子舞台車」。一台大卡車可以在幾分鐘內變形成一個霓虹閃爍、音響震撼的華麗舞台。舞台上，在地的媽媽舞蹈團穿著亮麗的舞衣勁歌熱舞，這種將高科技、娛樂與政治結合的創意，真的只有在台灣才看得到！
Walking under the red-and-white canvas canopy, the packed crowd leaves no empty seats—grandpas, grandmas, uncles, and aunts. Everyone is chatting eagerly. This is the truest appearance of Taiwan’s grassroots democracy; there are no unreachable slogans, only the real warmth of neighbors gathering together.
走進紅白相間的帆布棚架下，滿滿的人潮座無虛席，阿公、阿嬤、大叔、大嬸。大家熱切地聊著天。這就是台灣基層民主最真實的樣貌，沒有遙不可及的口號，只有街坊鄰居齊聚的真實溫度。
Outside the venue, a sea of flags flutters as the candidate enters amidst the sound of gongs and drums and the slogans of the staff.
場外一片旗海飄揚，候選人在鑼鼓聲與工作人員口號中進場。
The event finally reaches its most passionate grand finale moment. The candidate and local representatives stand in a line on the stage, leading the entire audience to shout “Dong-Suan (get elected)" in unison! The slogans called out with clenched fists and the sky-filling sounds of “Dong-Suan" tightly bond the emotions of all the hometown folks below the stage together. Regardless of political stance, the cohesion and vitality demonstrated by the entire venue at this moment are the most flourishing and true cultural energy on this land of Taiwan. END
活動最後來到了最激昂的壓軸時刻。候選人與地方代表一字排開站在舞台上，帶領全場齊聲高喊「凍蒜（當選）」！握拳直呼的口號、漫天的凍蒜聲，將台下所有鄉親的情緒緊緊凝聚在一起。無論政治立場如何，這一刻全場展現出的凝聚力與生命力，就是台灣這片土地上最蓬勃、最真實的文化能量。END
