A talent show, design contest and other events centering around the themes of “offerings” and “culture and creativity” comprise the itinerary at this year’s Austronesian Cultural Festival, which is scheduled to open later this month in Taitung City.
Hosted by the Taitung County Government, part of the festival is the Austronesian Music and Dance Talent Show, which is to be the nation’s first independently produced televised indigenous talent show.
Auditions are to take place at the Taitung Cultural Center Auditorium and at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1 on Saturday to select 60 participants for the talent show.
The festival is to run until late August, featuring an Austronesian Cultural Innovation Design Contest at the Taitung Sugar Factory from Aug. 1 to 17, in which judges from different fields are to select 12 winning designs.
Well-known indigenous designers and craftspeople are to produce creative works for the festival based on the themes of “culture and creativity” and “offerings,” which is one of the most compelling aspects of Austronesian culture, through carvings, weaving, pottery and creative artforms.
An Austronesian Cultural Innovation Invitational Competition is also to be held to promote indigenous cultural works, while seeking additional opportunities for cross-border and cross-sector cooperation to raise awareness of the nation’s indigenous peoples worldwide.
Another event, the Indigenous Music and Dance Festival, is scheduled to be held in Taitung on Aug. 6 and 7 under the theme: “Dancing Spirit: 1314 Never Forget Offerings.”
As part of the event, seven artistic troupes from Tahiti, Chile, Hungary, Guam, Burundi and Canada are to perform, presenting authentic indigenous music and dances.
The Taitung Sugar Factory also plans to host an Austronesian Gourmet Feast inspired by local indigenous culture at which visitors can purchase indigenous handmade delicacies and goods.
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