Speaking at an arts fair in Kaohsiung County yesterday, President Chen Shui-bian (
"Our cultural industry is a project of vital and lasting importance. The efforts devoted to it do not get instant results, but collectively, each of its creative acts are one step forward ... and they will blossom eventually," Chen said. "We anticipate there will be more [world-renowned troupes like] `Cloud Gate,' more groups which will glow on the world stage and will, through their artistic performances, allow international audiences to become more acquainted with Taiwan's distinguished culture."
The president made the remarks yesterday while touring the Taiwan Performing Arts Fair (
The fair, which was run in the style of an arts bazaar, pulled together more than 100 top performance troupes from Taiwan and abroad for a three-day, non-stop stage show starting Friday night and lasting until 6:30pm tonight.
Various entertainment, from rock 'n roll to traditional puppet shows, are among the arts features in this marathon-like fair, one of the largest performing arts events held in southern Taiwan in recent years.
"As the nation progresses, Taiwan's performing arts sector is prospering, with some ensembles or companies already making names for themselves on the international stage," the president said. "But overall, southern Taiwan's performing arts, in comparison to those of northern Taiwan, still have much room to grow."
In a bid to strike a balance in resources between northern and southern Taiwan as well as to advance citizens' cultural rights, the fair's organizers chose to hold it in southern Taiwan.
"This is not just art going into the grassroots but also a genuine dialogue between the people and the arts," Chen added.
Noting the 30 foreign performing arts managers invited to the event by the fair's organizers to select potential art troupes for performances overseas, as well as the comprehensive coverage of the fair by International Arts Manager Magazine in a special edition, Chen lauded the fair for its "successful cultural diplomacy" which "via the vigor and appeal of performing arts, markets Taiwan to the world." The president acknowledged the performers' hard work and urged the public to seize the opportunity to come and "enjoy the art feast."
Featuring eight different themes, the fair included also halls devoted to drama, dancing, teen performances, pop music and traditional performances, as well as a maze for children with an area of 120m2, one of the largest in the country.
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