On the 25th of November, the National Chung Cheng University (CCU) Library hosted the opening ceremony and documentary premiere for the "Typhoon Danas Documentary and Photography Exhibition." Through imagery and narrative, the exhibition recreated the significant impact of Typhoon Danas on the campus this past July and chronicled the subsequent recovery efforts. The collection featured firsthand materials captured by various university departments during the storm, including scenes of uprooted trees, damaged facilities, emergency relief efforts, and the collective spirit of students, faculty, and alumni working toward restoration. It offered a comprehensive look at CCU’s journey from post-disaster chaos to its gradual reconstruction.

At the opening ceremony, President Tsai Shaw-Jenq delivered a speech titled "A Once-in-a-Century Disaster as an Opportunity for Life Education." He noted that while the campus was devastated by Typhoon Danas, the experience provided a profound moment for reflection. President Tsai highlighted that many fallen trees were not discarded but were instead repurposed by the university community into outdoor displays and cultural artworks. Some pieces were even engraved with the Heart Sutra, symbolizing the birth of new life from destruction and ensuring campus memories endured in a more meaningful way.

The documentary was co-directed by Professor Kuan Chung-Hsiang, Chair of the Department of Communication, and student Chiu Hsing-Yu. Centered on in-depth interviews and on-site footage, the film showcased the collaborative spirit of students, alumni, volunteers, and partner organizations. "The production process was its own uphill battle," Professor Kuan shared. "We had to organize a massive variety of formats and tools from diverse sources. However, we wanted to convey the concept of a 'community.' Seeing the university work together with such heart and soul was a new starting point for even greater vitality."

Chiayi County Legislator Tsai Yi-Yu also attended to show his support. He remarked that the damage caused by Typhoon Danas was so severe that netizens compared the campus to "Jurassic Park." However, he commended CCU for its incredible resilience and efficiency in restoring campus functions. "I believe that after this trial, everyone will move past the hardship together toward a brighter future," he said.

Mr. Wang Shou-Jung of the Tzu Chi Foundation’s Chiayi Office also attended. Immediately following the disaster, Tzu Chi mobilized volunteers and international students from Tzu Chi University to head south, joining CCU faculty and alumni in a weeks-long recovery effort. University officials noted that this cross-generational and cross-cultural support was the key to CCU resuming operations so quickly.

Nearly 100 guests, faculty, and students attended the opening reception. Following the documentary premiere, attendees were guided through the exhibition by Lin Chun-Hsien, a PhD student in the Department of History, and listened to alumni and Chiayi ceramic artist Yang Hui-Ling discuss the design philosophy behind the featured art installations.

The Library stated that the exhibition aimed to demonstrate that disaster recovery was not the task of a single department, but the fruit of labor from the entire campus, society, and its partners. The exhibition was scheduled to be on display in the gallery outside the Multi-purpose Performance Hall on the first floor of the Library until December 31, 2025.