Hong Kong couple starts a cultural & creative arts café in Taiwan to promote cultural changes
Special Report
Being away from their hometown – Hong Kong, the couple Chen Song Jun (陳頌鈞) and Lan Pei Qi (藍珮琪) decided to pursue their dream in Taiwan at the cost of giving up their stable job income. The cultural & creative arts café, Let It Slow, is set up by the two that focuses on promoting handicrafts and slow living. Facing a series of challenges during the pandemic outbreak, the married couple takes a more optimistic view and tackles them one by one.A trip to Taiwan that germinates the idea of opening a storeIn 2013, the two met a retired couple who opened a homestay while traveling in Tainan. There was a green lawn outside the building, making people feel very relaxed. “They shared a lot about their life in Taiwan, and then we were thinking maybe we should have a different way of life in the future,” Lan Pei Qi said. “Life is not only about work.” This was when the idea of opening a store germinated in their minds.The journey to realizing their goal is never easy. Since the rent in Hong Kong is very high and the creative environment in Taiwan is more friendly to craftsmen and artists, they planned to go back to Hong Kong first and participated in more arts and crafts markets. At the same time, pondering their next move.Indeed, both have had a strong passion for handicrafts since a long time ago. Lan Pei Qi was a music teacher before, and she started devoting more time to handicraft and setting up temporary stalls. Chen Song Jun was an art & design teacher before, and he sold handicrafts too. “Some of our past experiences in Hong Kong make our dream come true.”Read More: Filipino new immigrant, Gen Huang, bridges the gap between Taiwanese & Filipino cultures through heartwarming projectsStep by step to realize the dreamIt took them years to summon the courage to start a business in a foreign land. When they applied for immigration to Taiwan, the two traveled here to explore their possible residence in the future. In addition, they also visited Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and stores that match their ideal business preferences.The common traditional characters and similar cultures in both Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as a supportive environment for craftsmen and artists, are essential factors for the couple to make up their minds. “Life in Hong Kong is probably more fast-paced, so we do not have much time to chat with others,” Lan Pei Qi said. “As we like to interact with others, we think that the relatively slow living Taiwan is more suitable for us to start a business.”Lan Pei Qi recalled encountering difficulties in looking for residence and store location when she arrived in Taiwan alone in May 2021. It just happened that the COVID-19 situation escalated in Taiwan, and this was her first time experiencing insomnia because she could not find a place to stay for a week.“I was a little nervous when I first came here but fortunately, I received help from Taiwanese friends and met a nice landlord who allows me to rent a house for a short term without the need to sign a contract,” she said. “These make me feel more secure.”In September 2021, Chen Song Jun, who was busy with things in Hong Kong, also smoothly traveled to Taiwan with a beloved pet dog.Both have a strong passion for handicrafts. (Photo / Authorized & Provided by 小島慢遊Let It Slow)Eventually, the café “Let It Slow” was launched in November 2021 after the long haul. It sells handicrafts, art products, and light desserts, as well as serves as a venue for workshops and exhibitions to promote cultural exchanges.Artworks that promote cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Hong KongSpeaking of art products displayed in the store, Lan Pei Qi excitedly shared the creator’s thoughts and cultural meanings behind the designs. For example, the illustration on the postcard depicts a Hong Kong tram decorated with various signboards that incorporate retro elements of Hong Kong. “This is the slowest mode of transport in Hong Kong, so many people in Hong Kong like to sit on it and admire the scenery.”Illustration on the postcard depicts a Hong Kong tram. (Photo / Authorized & Provided by 小島慢遊Let It Slow)Another piece of artwork shows an ice cream car. Lan Pei Qi discovered that the sound of an ice cream car in Hong Kong is very similar to the music of a garbage truck in Taiwan. Hence, she was pleasantly surprised in Taiwan while hearing the familiar sound of her hometown.The store also sells the works of Taiwanese designers on consignment, so that foreigners in Taiwan can better understand the local culture. “I also hope that through the designer's work, I can also share interesting cultures with customers.”The couple hopes to promote cultural exchanges through the works of Hong Kongese and Taiwanese artists. (Photo / Authorized & Provided by 小島慢遊Let It Slow)Special light desserts available in the storeA lot of efforts were made by Lan Pei Qi and the staff to create light desserts such as the “low-calorie raw chocolate tart”. It is made with tofu which makes it a healthy and delicious choice. Furthermore, the specialty of the house – island cake uses matcha cake that represents an island. Its stuffing includes red beans, and the topping is cream. The whole cake is garnished with fruits and nuts that resemble a beach. Moreover, a blue plate symbolizes the sea that accentuates the colorful ingredients used.The specialty of the house – island cake. (Photo / Authorized & Provided by 小島慢遊Let It Slow)To enable more people to get to know the taste of Hong Kong, the store also sells Hong Kong milk tea. “Taiwan has so many milk teas to choose from, I am surprised that many Taiwanese customers like to order our Hong Kong milk tea,” said Lan Pei Qi.Read More: Indonesian New Immigrant Priya Lee Lalwani: Translator Journey in TaiwanA Mecca for allThe store name “Let It Slow” has three meanings. It represents Taiwan, where Chen Song Jun and Lan Pei Qi are residing now. It represents Hong Kong, where the two grew up. It also represents the store – the couple’s dream. It is hoped that everyone in the store can be light-hearted, have a chit-chat with others, eat something tasty, understand the stories behind each artwork and experience slow living in life.Visitors come from different cultural backgrounds and age groups, including fellow Hong Kongese who support each other, Taiwanese and some foreign students. What impressed the couple was an American student who could speak Cantonese and was used to living in Hong Kong. For them, it was like meeting a hometown friend in a foreign land. There were always endless topics to talk about, and they became good friends thereafter.Exhibitions, sharing sessions and handicraft workshops are held in the store from time to time. (Photo / Authorized & Provided by 小島慢遊Let It Slow)The couple hope everyone in the store can be light-hearted and have a chit-chat with others. (Photo / Authorized & Provided by 小島慢遊Let It Slow)Moreover, many handicraft lovers also gather in the store because of the workshops. For instance, the special “Vintage Pop-up” is organized by two young adults, who share how to give old clothes a second life. Another one is a collaboration with a Taiwan brand, and everyone was having a quality time while making handicrafts and enjoying drinks. These have always been the wish of the couple to achieve, not only to promote cultural exchanges but also to learn a lot of new things at the same time.The kindness of the peopleBesides the landlord Lan Pei Qi met when she first came to Taiwan, the couple has met many other friendly Taiwanese. For example, shop assistants or strangers will be patient while trying to help them even if they speak with a Cantonese accent.Another person is an old lady living nearby who often brings fruits to them. During the Chinese New Year, she also sent some new year gifts to the couple. Through more interaction, the couple found out that the lady’s son was in America, and she treated them as her own children. These have made them feel touched.“Some other Taiwanese friends we made through interest groups or mutual friends also showed their support by visiting our store on an opening day, and even secretly ordered flowers for us,” she said.“I was very surprised by a Taiwanese friend I met on Facebook,” Chen Song Jun said. “Although we rarely keep in touch, he still took a three-hour northbound trip to visit us, I think these perfectly exemplify the friendliness of Taiwanese and it is very touching.”The couple has spent a lot of savings on starting a business in Taiwan, and it is heavily affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. However, Lan Pei Qi is utterly resolute and said, “We have never regretted our decision to come to Taiwan, nor have we thought about giving up because this has always been the life we have longed for.” The two will keep the spirit of Hong Kongese – staying resilient and courageous while facing difficulties. The Hong Kong couple believe that they will tide over this tough time together with the Taiwanese with the support of their family members and regular customers.Readers are welcome to check and follow小島慢遊 Let It Slow’s Facebook, Instagram
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