Ilan Folk Festival to open July 7

The fifth annual Ilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival (宜蘭國際童玩節) is taking off this year at Ilan's Chinshui Park on July 7.

This more than month-long extravaganza will last until August 19 and feature folk performances from groups from around the world, exhibitions on folk culture, games and amusement rides.

At a press conference today, the Ilan County Magistrate Liu Shou-cheng (劉守成), accompanied by the Director General of the Tourism Bureau and the Chairperson of the Council for Cultural Affairs of the Executive Yuan, formally announced the official opening ceremony of the festival to take place on July 7 at 4pm in Chinshui Park.

"The 2001 Ilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival has worked to revive every visitor's childhood memories by presenting abundant folk dance and music; no matter which age group, race, sex or nationality our visitor belongs to," said Liu.

The press conference featured a lively performance from renowned local glove puppeteer Huang Chun-shiung (黃俊雄) as well as a special dance from the twirling and accordion-playing Portuguese Children's Folkloric Group of Loule. These gave only a small taste to whet one's appetite for the many wonders in store this month.

The Ilan County government, sponsored by the Council for Cultural Affairs of the Executive Yuan, first hosted the event at Chinshui Park in 1996.

The total number of foreign and local visitors to the past four festivals was estimated at aorund 1.5 million, contributing around NT$1.8 billion to the local economy. Liu noted that the past success of the festival can be credited to widespread efforts from fields including industry, tourism, culture, art and diplomacy.

"We are not, however, fully content will these results and will endeavor to advance the overall quality and quantity of performances, exhibitions games and all interactions," Liu said.

The festival features exhibitions on glove puppetry, aviation, as well as the history and culture of other countries. There will also be a variety of water and children's games, but the primary focus will be on the performances.

There are a total of 33 groups performing folk dance, theatre and music from such countries as Sri Lanka, Bolivia, Romania, Hungary, the UK, Benin, Nigeria and, of course, aboriginals from Taiwan.

"The only thing you will hold on to at the festival is the feeling that you're a carefree child again," Liu remarked.