MOC showcases strengthening cultural ties with NSP target countries

2018/12/18

Taiwan is making great strides in forging deeper cultural ties with New Southbound Policy target countries, with a total 23 arts cooperation projects launched in line with the initiative this year, according to the Ministry of Culture Dec. 14.
 
 Deputy Culture Minister Hsiao Tsung-huang said the projects, funded under three MOC programs, highlight the strong connections between Taiwan and countries in South and Southeast Asia. It is expected that these collaborative efforts will help strengthen Taiwan people’s understanding of the region, he added.
 
 Spotlighting the programs’ success, the MOC hosted an exhibition and a forum Dec. 14-15 in Taipei City for participating artists and curators to showcase their work and share experiences.
 
 The first program supported young adults working on projects in Southeast Asian countries. One of the participating institutions, Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Cultures, Communications and Empowerment under Taipei-based Shih Hsin University, visited aboriginal tribes in the Philippines to exchange knowledge on revitalizing traditional customs.
 
 Artists from Southeast Asian countries were enabled to come to Taiwan under the second program. Recipient Taipei Contemporary Art Center invited musicians from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to work with local sound artists on several performances.
 
 Facilitating local professionals to collaborate with counterparts in South and West Asia was the focus of the final program. Taiwan’s Tjimur Dance Theatre is using its grant to stage a joint production with traditional performers from India.
 
 In addition to cultural links, the NSP, a key plank of the government’s national development strategy, is enhancing the nation’s agricultural, business, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=18&post=147244)