New Taipei stages environmental arts festival

2015/10/05

An arts festival promoting environmental protection awareness and community cultural development is set to kick off Oct. 3 in New Taipei City’s Tamsui District.

The seventh edition of the event features an arts parade and drama performance by district residents, as well as concerts, dances and exhibitions by local artists like Bamboo Curtain Studio, Sun Son Theater, The Flat Fives band and YM Swing dance group. It is organized by New Taipei City Government’s Cultural Affairs Department.

CAD Chief Secretary Ji Shu-jyuan said the Tamsui International Environmental Arts Festival represents the efforts of the government, artists and public to foster an environment-themed arts scene in the northern Taiwan metropolis.

“By taking a frontline role in the event, residents can share intimate knowledge of the community and, at the same time, demonstrate a determination to preserve the environment and historic heritage.”

According to NTCG, the multifaceted festival is expected to attract more than 100,000 attendees from outside the district.

One of the highlights of the event is an opening-day arts parade along Tamsui Old Street. Led by participants sporting colorful costumes fashioned from recycled materials, the extravaganza is expected to involve 2,000 locals in 44 teams.

District officials are also playing their part by performing percussion music using recycled buckets and unveiling a spaceship installation cobbled together from discarded PCs and accessories.

Equally eye-catching is the festival’s Oct. 24-25 grand finale environmental theater gala. Organized by acclaimed Taiwanese opera director Chiang Chien-yuan, the two-show spectacular comprises nearly 100 amateur thespians demonstrating the results of half a year’s intensive coaching and rehearsals.

“The Amazing Journey of Tamsui” documents the history and development of the district, ranging from the eruption of the Datun Volcano Group and exploits of Qing dynasty (1644-1911) pirate Cai Qian, to the contributions of Canadian missionary George Mackay during Sino-French War (1884-1885).

Ji said the actors are champing at the bit to get onstage and showcase their wares. “We have participants as young as 3 and as old as 81, with some having been involved in the production for seven years.”

After the curtain comes down on the festival, NTCG plans to build on its momentum by staging 16 lectures in November and December on the district and related topics of interest.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=237292&ctNode=2194&mp=9)