Ministry of Culture and Taipei Representative Office Promote Taiwan Contemporary Dance Showcase in Germany

(Central News Agency reporter Chao Ching-Yu, Taipei, June 11) With support from Taiwan's Ministry of Culture and the Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany, the 'Taiwan Moves' Taiwan Contemporary Dance Showcase will take place from June to November 2024 at the Hellerau European Centre for the Arts in Dresden, Germany. The event aims to present the diverse creative expressions and cultural vitality of Taiwan's contemporary dance scene to European audiences.

According to a press release issued today by the Ministry of Culture, this year's 'Taiwan Contemporary Dance Showcase' brings together prominent Taiwanese dance troupes and artists, including Timor Arts Dance Company, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Bad Shoes Dance Theatre, and Germany-based choreographer Lo Fang-Yun. Through special performances, audience engagement, and Taiwan-Germany dance exchanges, the program will showcase the multifaceted nature of Taiwan's contemporary dance creations.

The first wave of 'Taiwan Moves' programs will run from June 12 to 15. Timor Arts Dance Company will present 'Paiwan Zoo (X aiwan Utopia)' and the urban walking project 'Walking the Road.' Germany-based choreographer Lo Fang-Yun will debut the family-friendly dance piece 'When I Was Your Age,' reflecting on Taiwan's social transformations and intergenerational memories from the 1980s to 1990s.

Concurrently, Hellerau will host a Taiwan-themed market and cultural experience activities, offering German audiences opportunities to engage with Taiwanese culture through dance, music, cuisine, and hands-on workshops.

From late August to early September, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre will perform '13 Tongues,' the signature work of Artistic Director Cheng Tsung-Lung. Inspired by the culture and legendary figures of Taipei's Wanhua district, the piece blends street culture, temple fair sounds, and contemporary dance vocabulary to portray Taiwan's urban landscape. Bad Shoes Dance Theatre will present 'Island Trance,' combining dance with live music to explore Taiwan's historical and cultural experiences as an island nation through themes of the ocean, migration, and memory.

In addition to performances, the Taiwanese teams will participate in youth outreach programs, artist exchanges, and professional dialogues during their stay in Germany. These activities aim to connect Taiwanese artists with Dresden's cultural institutions and arts education networks, enhancing the visibility and influence of Taiwan's performing arts within Germany's cultural sphere.

The Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany noted that Taiwan and Germany have deepened cooperation in technology, education, and talent exchange in recent years, making Dresden a key city for bilateral relations. Through this collaboration with the Hellerau European Centre for the Arts, the systematic presentation of Taiwan's contemporary dance achievements not only strengthens professional dance exchanges between Taiwan and Germany but also aims to help local audiences appreciate Taiwan's rich cultural diversity beyond its technological image. (Editor: Lo Po-An)