2007 Taipei Traditional Arts Festival
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung –bin attended the opening luncheonof the 2007 Taipei Traditional Arts Festival (TTAF). The festival will run from March 31 until June 2, and features a wide range of musical and theater shows by performers from both Taiwan and China. During the dinner, Mayor Hau pointed out that in addition to the city’s modern aspect such as Taipei 101, WIFLY, and Taipei MRT, Taipei’s traditional arts scene also plays an important role in making it an international city. Hau expressed his hope that TTAF could help raise the public’s interest in preserving traditional culture, to promote Taipei internationally and recognize the achievements of the performers. According to Commissioner Lee Yong-ping of Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs, this year’s festival will consist of activities that are rich in variety and deep in content. While preserving the original form of traditional art remain important, it is good to see how these art forms have developed new ways to accommodate modern trends. The 2007 TTAF will let visitors experience the harmony between the traditional and the modern, and the east and the west. The Mayor remarked that the cooperation of both the public and private sector is needed to achieve success in organizing traditional arts events. He also presented awards to CPC Corporation Taiwan, Advantech Foundation, Kojen English Center, Police Radio Station of Taiwan, Travel-web.com and ASART.com at the event, thanking the organizations for their efforts in promoting and supporting traditional arts. The 2007 Taipei Traditional Arts Festival will feature classical Chinese music performances by Taipei Chinese Orchestra and Shanghai Municipal Chinese Orchestra. There will be a total of 44 performances featuring seven major themes. A detail schedule of the performances is listed at the website of the festival at www.tco.taipei.gov.tw