[Lecture in Mandarin] Weed Day: Healing the Self and Nature Through Contemporary Foraging｜Liberal Arts College (LAC) Sustainable and Peer Education Center (SPEC)
“People venture into the wilderness to embrace nature, while nature reaches out to us through the weeds around us.” — Weed Day
As the semester nears its end, amidst the hustle of assignments and preparations, you might hear your parents remind you: “Take a break and look at something green to rest your eyes!” On the rush to your next destination, you may not notice the ordinary trees on campus or the unassuming weeds along the roadside—but their presence still refreshes the air you breathe.
What happens if we pause and truly observe those “green things”? These so-called “weeds,” often dismissed as nameless, hold astonishing biodiversity: medicinal and toxic plants, native species, invasive exotics, and even undiscovered flora. Some serve as ingredients for herbal teas, wild greens, or materials for daily tools. This ancient “herbal culture,” spanning both the named and the nameless, encapsulates humanity’s shared memory of living in harmony with plants. Some of these “weeds” have untapped potential, waiting to reveal their value.
In this session, we are thrilled to collaborate with Weed Day, an initiative that reimagines Taiwan’s herbal traditions through the lens of contemporary art. By weaving together folk botany, environmental ecology, and artistic experimentation, they craft experiences of “contemporary foraging.” Their approach encourages us to rediscover the flavors of weeds, reconnect with the land, and realign with ourselves. This vision turns sustainable living into a holistic practice of self-care for both body and mind.
Weeds, the closest connection to nature in our everyday lives, invite us to slow down and embrace the “Return to the Wild” movement. Let us start with the greens around us.
Event Details
Time: November 26, 2024 (Tuesday), 7:00–9:00 PM (Dinner served at 6:30 PM)
Location: Zhixing Building Room 406, Yangming Campus
Livestream: Comprehensive Building 1 Room 633, Guangfu Campus
Collaborating Partner: Weed Day
Registration: Click here or visit our Linktree.
LAC Activity Credit: 1 Hour (recorded in E-portfolio)
Upcoming SDGs-15 Series Activities: Return to the Wild
- 11/26 (Tue): Lecture – Weed Day: Healing Self and Nature Through “Contemporary Foraging”
- 12/1 (Sun): Working Holiday – Habitat Guardianship: Wanli Wetlands Work Experience Camp
- 12/4 (Wed): Lecture – The Lost River : What the Zhiben Wetlands Remember
- 12/21 (Sat): From Weeds to Creations: Contemporary Foraging and Handicraft Workshop
For the latest updates, follow SPEC:
- Facebook: SPEC Facebook
- Instagram: SPEC Instagram
- Linktree: SPEC Linktree
