On Kinmen Island in Taiwan, a wartime tunnel has turned into a place of music and peace. The Zhaishan Tunnel, built in the 1960s to protect boats from Chinese attacks, recently hosted the 17th Kinmen Tunnel Music Festival. For the first time, visitors heard the sounds of cellos and violins instead of the echoes of artillery.
The tunnel was once an important military shelter during the Cold War. Kinmen Island, which has been under Taiwan’s control since 1949, faced frequent attacks from China. Today, the area is a tourist spot, and many old military sites have been turned into parks and cultural venues.
During the festival, musicians performed six concerts over two days. Each show was sold out, with around 200 people attending. The performers played classical and traditional East Asian music while floating on a boat inside the tunnel. Colored lights added to the unique atmosphere, making the experience special for the audience.
Festival director and cellist Chang Chen-chieh said the event aims to promote peace. Visitors described the experience as moving and unforgettable, combining the beauty of music with the natural sounds of the sea.
The Kinmen Tunnel Music Festival shows how a place once linked to war can become a symbol of culture and hope. By turning a military site into a music venue, Taiwan demonstrates the power of art to heal and inspire.
As cellos and violins echo through the Zhaishan Tunnel, the festival reminds everyone that peace is possible, and history can be transformed into a place of beauty and harmony.
