Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

During a press conference on April 13, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin joined Deputy Mayor Lee Yong-ping and representatives from seven performing groups – Ming Hwa Yuan Taiwanese Opera Troupe, Utheatre, Guoguang Opera Company, Ping-Fong Acting Troupe, and more – in announcing the “Taipei Culture Weeks”. “Taipei Culture Weeks” will run between June 3 and June 28 at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. According to the mayor, “Taipei Culture Weeks” will comprise six event categories including art performances, visual art exhibitions, forums on culture issues, innovative industry fairs, movie showcases, and outdoor activities featuring the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition as the main theme. Seven Taiwan-based performance groups and thousands of top entertainers from Taipei will take to the stage at the one-month-long culture galore. On May 16 (the “Shanghai World Expo: Taipei Day”), Ming Hwa Yuan will be performing the international version of the Legend of White Snake at the Shanghai Hongkou Soccer Stadium. The troupe promises to amaze the audience with spectacular “water walking” scenes and other great moments. Hau indicated that holding the culture celebration enables Taipei to display its “soft power”, helping us to excel in an international arena and to gain the attention of visitors from around the world.