Traditional Taiwanese music and theater groups are scheduled to launch a series of performances and workshops in rural areas on Sunday to promote traditional arts, the Ministry of Culture said yesterday.
The National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan, the Guoguang Opera Company and the Taiwan Bangzi Opera Company will perform in eastern, southern and central parts of the nation through Nov. 24, the ministry said.
The groups will also hold forums, workshops and exhibitions on traditional Chinese and Taiwanese theater and music, as well as collaborate with local art groups, the ministry said.
Ministry Chief Secretary Tsai Hsiang (蔡湘) said the ministry has launched similar initiatives in the past to promote art in the countryside, but added that this year’s project is different as it is about more than bringing performances to rural areas.
“We are taking a long-term approach in the hope that traditional art will take root in these areas,” Tsai said, adding that the forums, workshops and exhibitions will be open to the public.
Taiwan Bangzi Opera president Debbie Hu said it is easy for art to “stay in big theaters” and that her troupe is participating in the initiative because it wants to “get closer to the audiences.”
She said some of the shows and workshops organized by her troupe will target young people because it believes that “theater and art have a social and educational function.”
The company will hold its programs in Greater Kaohsiung and Pingtung from June 16 to Nov. 16, while the Guoguang Opera will hold its activities in Hualien and Taitung from July 19 to Oct. 24, and the orchestra will host its programs in Nantou County from Oct. 4 to Nov. 24.
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