Taiwan’s performers go all out for Cultural Olympiad finale

2024/08/13

Artists from Taiwan concluded their 15-day show at the Cultural Olympiad in Paris with an extravaganza that saw performers and audience members celebrating boxer Lin Yu-ting’s winning of the country’s first Olympic boxing gold medal, according to the Ministry of Culture Aug. 11.
 
The gold medal news was announced during the closing night performance featuring Nymphia Wind, Taiwan’s first winner of the U.S. reality competition “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Lin reached the top of the podium in the women’s 57-kilogram division by defeating Julia Szeremeta of Poland, and boosted Team Taiwan’s medal count to two golds and five bronzes.
 
According to the MOC, when the stage’s backdrop flashed up Lin’s picture and the news of her victory, the drag queens and their audience were moved to cheers and applause. Emotions remained high as the screen listed the names of all Team Taiwan athletes, and boxing bronze medalists Chen Nieh-chin and Wu Shih-yi celebrated the historic moment onstage, the ministry said.
 
During her closing night address, Deputy Minister of Culture Sue Wang thanked everyone along for the tumultuous Olympic journey consisting of surprise, tears, joys, friendship, gratitude, pride and affection. She added that Taiwan will never give up on becoming part of the international community.
 
Taiwan’s representative to France, François Chih-chung Wu, expressed similar sentiments. He added that the celebrations were not a farewell, but rather a wish to meet again, before thanking everyone for giving Taiwan a wonderful journey.
 
Over 120 performers in 24 groups staged 57 shows spanning dance, music, opera and visual performances July 27- Aug. 10 in Parc de la Villette, according to the MOC. The performances attracted a combined audience of 70,000 and showcased Taiwan’s deeply held belief in freedom, democracy and diversity, it added.


Source:  Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)