WAC arts festival kicks off in Kaohsiung

2014-10-08

Wei Wu Ying Center for the Arts in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City launched its annual open-air arts festival Oct. 7, attracting record numbers of participants from home and abroad.

Headlined by Shakespeare’s Globe of London staging “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the event is taking place at a 9.9-hectare complex designed by celebrated Dutch architect Francine Houben. Once fully operational in 2015, it will feature a concert hall, lyric theater, recital hall and two playhouses.

“As 2014 marks the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, it is a real honor to host the celebrated bard’s own theater and recreate this classic comedy in all its 16th century splendor,” a WAC official said.

During the 47-day festival, 76 domestic and international performing companies like Hong Kong’s Live Theatre, Sadari Movement Laboratory from South Korea and homegrown Spring-Wind Art Theater are scheduled to take the stage at WAC’s outdoor theater. Other highlights include more than 500 activities such as exhibitions, film screenings, performances and seminars.

“In line with the three-pronged objectives of brand management, global connection and local dialogue outlined by the Ministry of Culture, WAC is rapidly shaping up as a premium arts center,” the official said.

“We expect this festival to further cement Kaohsiung’s burgeoning reputation as a regional hub for creative performances and artistic expression.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=222613&CtNode=413)