Lin Mei-hong, a German-based Taiwanese choreographer, has been nominated by the German Theatre Association for its Der Faust prize for her work “Die Brautschminkerin.”
“The greatest motivation for creating this piece is to speak out for Taiwan,” Lin said Sept. 12 after learning of the nomination.
Lin explained that her dance was inspired by a story written by renowned Taiwanese author Li Ang. Based on the February 28 Incident, the story describes how a woman’s husband is killed on their wedding night, and how she subsequently has to bring up their son on her own.
During the February 28 Incident, the Nationalist government used force to put down protests that had broken out throughout Taiwan in 1947. It is estimated that thousands of people lost their lives as a result of the crackdown.
According to Lin, her piece is not solely about Taiwanese history. “What I am concerned with is the feelings of all those who have lived through coercion and the memories of those who have survived it,” she said, pointing out that Libya in recent months, Spain in the 1930s and Nazi Germany in the 1930s to 1940s all share similarities with the February 28 Incident.
Her piece allows women to express their pains, regrets and memories, Lin said. “Many of the performers, with the oldest aged 94 years old, lived through the Nazi period. They know what it feels like to be suppressed and can reveal natural and strong emotions once on stage.”
Trained at Yilan County’s renowned Lan Yang Dancers, founded by Italian Roman Catholic missionary Giancarlo Michelini in 1966, Lin furthered her studies in Rome and later became a student of legendary German dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch.
Lin has been working as art director at Germany’s Staatstheaters Darmstadt since 2005 and won that nation’s prestigious Artist of the Year accolade in 2006.
Der Faust, also known as the Oscars of Germany’s art field, was founded in 2006 by the German Theatre Association. The awards ceremony this year will take place in Frankfurt Nov. 5. (HZW)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw