🎷 11-4 VNT Cultural Day Trip – Saxophones, Cycling & Belgian Music in Taiwan

Dear VNT Members and Friends,

We are delighted to invite you to a unique cultural and musical day trip organised by one of our members Prof. Ann Heylen (NTNU) – a BIG Thank you for extending the invitation to our VNT friends and members !

This special outing combines Belgian musical heritage, Taiwanese craftsmanship, cycling, and great company.

The event is part of the NTNU music program celebrating 80 years of the Department of Music and the visit of Belgian conductor Rik Ghesquière, who will conduct masterclasses in Taiwan.

Together we will explore Taiwan’s remarkable connection with the saxophone — the famous instrument invented by Belgian Adolphe Sax.

 VNT EDUCATIVE & CULTURAL OUTING

SAXOPHONE MUSEUM – HOULI

Saturday 11 April 2026

This one-day trip includes:

Cycling the Dongfeng Bicycle Green Corridor
One of Taiwan’s most beautiful and historic cycling paths, built on a former railway line and running along the Dajia River.

Lunch at Grace Holiday Bistro

Visit to the Lien Cheng Saxophone Museum and Musical Instrument Factory

Highlights of the visit:

• Guided museum tour
  • Saxophone concert
  • Demonstration of saxophone craftsmanship
  • DIY workshop – make your own saxophone music box

This museum celebrates Chang Lien-Chang, the pioneer who built Taiwan’s first handmade saxophone and helped establish Houli as an international center of saxophone production.

 SCHEDULE

07:10 – 07:30
Departure from Taipei Main Station (exact meeting point to follow)

07:30 – 09:30
Travel to Dongfeng

09:30 – 11:30
Cycling the Dongfeng Bicycle Green Corridor

11:50 – 13:30
Lunch at Grace Holiday Bistro

14:00 – 15:30
Saxophone Museum Visit + Concert + DIY Workshop

17:30
Return to Taipei

19:30
Arrival Taipei

(In case of rain, an alternative program will be arranged.)

 PRICE

Including transport, insurance, museum entrance, lunch, English guide and workshop:

20 participants → NTD 2500/person
30 participants → NTD 2100/person

VNT allocation: MAX 15–20 participants

Families welcome (recommended 12+ years old).

 REGISTRATION

Please register before:

Friday 27 March 2026 (latest 30th March !!!) – limited to 15-20 places only !!!

Send an email to:

Ann Heylen
aheylen26@gmail.com

CC:

VNT Secretariat
vntsecretariaat@gmail.com

Include the following information (required for insurance):

• Name (Romanization, family name first)
  • Passport / ARC / APRC number
  • Date of birth
  • Nationality

Payment will be collected in cash on departure.

This promises to be a wonderful cultural day combining music, Belgian heritage, Taiwanese craftsmanship, cycling and great VNT company.

We hope many of you will join us!