People in Taipei came out in droves to view artistic creations and performances throughout the night of Oct. 1 and into the wee hours of the morning as part of the Nuit Blanche arts festival, themed “Night of the Arts.”
This was the first time the artistic celebration was staged in Taiwan, with Taipei becoming the second city in Asia to host the event following Kyoto, Japan.
Nuit Blanche, which began in France in 2002, takes place each year on the first Saturday of October, with art galleries, museums and cultural organizations open all night and free of charge. Cities all around the world host the event, which showcases works ranging from paintings to performing arts shows.
Due to its geographic position, Taipei was one of the first cities to hold the event this year. A unique attraction at the festival, the Office of the President opened its doors to the public throughout the night, a first for the institution.
Officials launched Nuit Blanche at 6 p.m. in front of National Taiwan Museum in 228 Peace Memorial Park. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, who took part in the opening ceremony, said that much like students burning the midnight oil before an exam, he hoped people would stay up all night for the festival.
Activities and artistic displays were held in and around a 4-kilometer stretch of the city’s west side, centering around the Beimen area and spreading north to Dadaocheng and south to 228 Peace Memorial Park. There were several primary exhibition areas, including Yongle Fabric Market, Beimen Metro Station and various museums.
Organizers said the event was Taipei’s biggest art festival in recent years, with a diverse selection of works, music and forums set against the backdrop of history to highlight the city’s vision for the future. (WF-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw