{
  "id": 1665453,
  "title": "Discovery debuts Hakka Liugdui documentary series across Southeast Asia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/discovery-debuts-hakka-liugdui-documentary-series-across-southeast",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-18T07:13:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Vietnam Investment Review",
    "slug": "vietnam-investment-review",
    "url": "https://vir.com.vn/discovery-debuts-hakka-liugdui-documentary-series-across-southeast-asia-158936.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 18, 2026, Discovery debuted a three-part documentary series titled \"Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun,\" in collaboration with the Hakka Affairs Council in Taiwan. The series takes viewers on a journey to Liugdui, a historic Hakka settlement region in southern Taiwan, where the Hakka communities have thrived for over 300 years.\n\nThe documentary focuses on the traditions of water stewardship, agricultural innovation, and food heritage that have been passed down through generations. Through the stories of local scholars, farmers, and artisans, audiences learn how the Liugdui community adapts these traditions to modern challenges while preserving its cultural heritage.\n\nThe three episodes cover different aspects of Liugdui's way of life. The first episode explores water management, featuring groundwater experts and farmers who employ sustainable techniques. The second episode delves into agriculture, showcasing pioneering farmers who grow crops using innovative methods. The third episode focuses on food traditions, highlighting chefs and artisans who maintain Hakka culinary practices through ancestral rituals and modern interpretations of traditional cuisine.\n\nViewers are introduced to various innovations, such as botanical dyeing and repurposing local materials like betel nut. The documentary emphasizes that tradition is not a static entity but a living legacy that evolves with the times. This perspective is evident in the community's approach to adapting their customs to contemporary concerns like sustainability and rural development.\n\n\"Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun\" premieres on various networks across Southeast Asia. It airs on Discovery Channel on August 20 at 7:10pm, TLC Channel on August 24 at 7:10pm, and Discovery Asia on August 25 at 9:25pm. The series is a testament to the Hakka Liugdui community's resilience and cultural richness, offering valuable insights into sustainable living and the preservation of heritage in the face of change.",
  "summary": "Media network Discovery partnered with Taiwan s Hakka Affairs Council on 18 August 2026 to launch a three part documentary series premiering regionally on 20 August 2026",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}