Taiwan youth ensemble set for Japan tour

2014-11-13

A youth ensemble from Puli Butterfly Symphony Orchestra will depart Nov. 17 for Japan on its first overseas tour, performing at a series of fundraisers for victims of that country’s March 2011 tsunami and earthquake.

Scheduled to deliver four concerts at prestigious Suntory Hall in Tokyo, as well as in Iwate prefecture’s Otsuchi—one of the Tohoku towns most severely affected by the disaster—PBSO is taking part in the events at the invitation of Japanese charity Tsuchioto Project.

PBSO director Liao Chia-chan said the trip is made possible with the assistance and a grant from the Ministry of Culture. “We plan to share the special sounds of Taiwan while cementing cultural ties between the nations.”

Based in Nantou County, PBSO formed in the aftermath of the magnitude-7.3 Jiji earthquake that struck central Taiwan in 1999. It comprises 46 members, mainly local students and teachers.

According to Liao, the tour is special for PBSO as Puli received a great deal of support from Japan following the 1999 temblor.

“The famed Paper Dome in Taomi Village, designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Shigeru Ban, was donated to assist in the revitalization of local community,” he said. “It is our turn to give something back and help those affected by the earthquake get back on their feet.”

But for Liao, the tour and exchanges between communities affected by earthquakes go beyond strengthening friendships. “The consolidation of community plays an instrumental role in the reconstruction of disaster-hit areas. The process can help integrate resources and build social support networks for overcoming adversity.”

PBSO has staged over 80 performances since 2013, including eight charity concerts and five educational events in remote parts of Taiwan this year.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=223917&CtNode=413)