Old stories vanish along with Sanchong’s old theatres

In the 60s and 70s, Taipei’s Sanchong was awash with factories and the destination for many people from the south and central regions of Taiwan migrating to urban areas from the countryside. It was the era before television, and Sanchong’s theatre culture was flourishing to meet the entertainment needs of the public. According to records, the area near Taipei Bridge had over 20 large and small theaters during that time, some screening movies, some staging Budaixi (puppetry) performances, some with Taiwanese operas, and some with singing and dancing troupes, providing a wide variety of choices for residents.

Due to urban regeneration in the old city and cultural changes in society, such bustling theatre scenes can no longer be seen, but the memories are still very much alive in the hearts and minds of old residents. Sadly, many such precious memories only survive through oral transmission from generation to generation and will gradually disappear in the sands of time.

以下為中文對照

六、七o年代的三重，是工廠與中南部移民的聚集地，在那個電視尚未普及的年代，為了滿足他們的娛樂需求，三重戲院文化可以說是百花齊放，在現有資料中，當時台北橋附近大大小小的戲院便多達二十多家，其中，有些戲院播放電影、有些戲院表演歌仔戲與歌舞團，提供了在地居民多樣化的選擇。

隨著舊城區的改建以及社會文化變遷，當時戲院繁華的景象已不復見，然而，這些場景在三重舊居民的回憶中卻恍如昨日，那些來不及以相片保留下來的珍貴記憶，只能以口述的方式代代相傳，終至消失殆盡。