Having guided ships and stood witness to war, the lighthouse’s new role as a sports venue exemplifies X-Basic Planning’s successful campaign to revitalize the site and weave it into the community’s modern identity. We hosted this competition in collaboration with several local schools and the national fencing association, aiming to integrate the Kaohsiung Lighthouse more actively into community life. By moving beyond static exhibitions, we sought to reconnect residents with their cultural heritage through a vibrant, contemporary event.

From Tourist Landmark to Living Space

The primary challenge the X-Basic Planning team faced in revitalizing the Kaohsiung Lighthouse was bridging the gap between the historic structure and the local Cijin community. In the past, the Kaohsiung Lighthouse existed in a curious state of isolation. Though a landmark of historical importance, it stood apart from the vibrant life of Cijin’s historic district and beaches. It was scarcely visited by locals outside of organized school trips. We realized that to truly revitalize the lighthouse, we had to shed its reputation for being a tourist trap and redefine it as a public space for everyday use and engagement.

Moving beyond regular exhibitions, youth engagement, and historical integration, our team explores cross-disciplinary collaborations to redefine cultural heritage. We aim to integrate the lighthouse into Cijin’s daily life with a more dynamic and diverse presence. Fencing’s growing popularity in Taiwan and its overseas origins, much like the lighthouse’s own history, make it a perfect catalyst for connecting the Kaohsiung Lighthouse to the community, to schools, and to future partners.

When a Century-Old Lighthouse Meets the Art of Fencing

As Taiwan’s first outdoor mountain fencing competition, the Fencing Bridge Cup lends this medieval sport new meaning and historical depth. It’s truly a pioneering location for this event. With the referee’s whistle, fencers focus and strike, the sharp clang of steel resonating within the historic lighthouse. This lighthouse setting challenges competitors not only physically and technically, but also mentally, demanding intense focus and swift adaptability. The sea breeze, crashing waves, and fleeting seabird calls—elements often fading into the background of daily life—form an integral part of the tournament’s atmosphere.

For three years running, post-pandemic, Kaohsiung Municipal Zuoying High School and the Kaohsiung Fencing Talent Cultivation Association have hosted national fencing tournaments. The Fencing Bridge Cup innovates with a parent-child division, creating a shared sporting experience for families. When families competing on the field are framed by the historic lighthouse, they are strengthening more than family ties; they are ensuring the continuity of culture itself.

The Fencing Bridge Cup is more than a milestone for X-Basic Planning; it is the practical application of our philosophy to old house revitalization. True renewal moves beyond festive events to embed spaces in daily life, transforming cultural assets from static specimens into dynamic catalysts that fuse memory and modernity, driving local regeneration. Through creative operation, we are committed to transforming the Kaohsiung Lighthouse into a hub that consolidates community identity and highlights local character. Our goal is to attract youth to return and settle, ensuring the lighthouse’s eternal beam guides the cultural development of Cijin for generations to come.

Kaohsiung Municipal Zuoying High School and the Kaohsiung Fencing Talent Cultivation Association are committed to advancing the sport of fencing. This year’s inaugural Fencing Bridge Cup attracted competitors of all ages, not only promoting intergenerational exchange but also helping this international sport take root locally. (Credit: Provided by Kaohsiung Fencing Talent Cultivation Association)