Taiwan art groups’ rich creative offerings garnered positive reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe currently underway till Aug. 26 in the British city, the Ministry of Culture said Aug. 13.
The successful staging of an event titled Meet the Artists: Home & Abroad and a reception for the MOC’s Taiwan Season initiative underscored government promotion of Taiwan’s soft power to a wider global audience, the MOC added.
During his opening reception remarks, Taiwan Representative to the U.K. Vincent Chin-Hsiang Yao said the festival is a good example for Taiwan cities when it comes to promoting economy, tourism and urban development. It is hoped that a greater number of Taiwan artists will take part in the event to expand cultural exchanges, he added.
In response, Edinburgh Mayor Robert Aldridge praised the refreshing performances by Taiwan groups; Edinburgh Councilor Cammy Day greeted the participants in Mandarin to show support for Taiwan; while EFF Chief Executive Shona McCarthy said the event’s founding principle reflects the shared commitment to freedom by Scotland, Europe and Taiwan.
According to the MOC, four groups are flying the flag for Taiwan at the annual festival with the ministry’s support. “Little Drops of Rain” by Bon Appetit Theatre is a family show that depicts the adventurous and life-changing quest of a teenager who encounters a resilient drop of water.
“Lost Connection” by Seed Dance Company is a dynamic new piece based on the contemporary social-cultural phenomenon of phubbing, or addiction to mobile devices; “I Am the Boss” by 0471 Acro Physical Theatre is a light-hearted, highly acrobatic family entertainment about three playful siblings who have been left home alone; while “Palingenesis” by D_Antidote Production is inspired by the biological concept of regeneration and features a dance trio and audio visuals that express intimacy, trust and transformation.
Founded in 1947, the EFF aims to provide a deep experience of high-quality art for a broad audience, and usually takes place for three weeks in August. Launched in 2014, the Taiwan Season has been an ever-increasing draw at the event, showcasing a wealth of dance, theatre and live performance from Taiwan groups. (SFC-E)
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