Beginning on August 28 and lasting for a month, the Taiwanese Cultural Festival (TaiwanFest) takes place online this year. On August 29th 8:00 pm (ET), the Honorable Lee Yung-te (李永得) Minister of Culture, R.O.C (Taiwan), the Honorable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Honorable John Horgan Premier of British Columbia make opening speeches and express their greetings to Taiwanese and Canadian audience through the online concert, “The Island and the Maple Leaf” (島嶼的夢 楓葉的真).
In the beginning of the opening remarks, the minister, Lee Yung-te first expresses his utmost appreciation on behalf of Taiwan to Canadian artist, Taiwanese artists, staff members and volunteers. The minister remarks that due to the pandemic, the festival has turned into a virtual format. The program is still very rich and interesting. He encourages everyone to join online to experience the vitality of Taiwanese arts and cultures. He emphases that viruses do not harm us by genders or skin colors. That is why the theme of the festival this year is to call on everyone to focus on anti-racism. “I am different, just like you”. Through the exchange of arts and cultures globally; we will develop a deeper understanding of each other. In the end of the speech, he expresses his appreciation again to everyone in Mandarin, Taiwanese and Haka.
The Survived, the theme of the festival this year is to discover the unique culture and cultural influence of Taiwan. There are 7 online programs. The annual Opening Ceremony Symphony Concert virtually through “The Island and the Maple Leaf” is joined by the young musicians of Chin-Ai String Orchestra in Nantou, Taiwan (南投親愛愛樂弦樂團) and TaiwanFest Orchestra in Toronto. There are over 40 Hope Talks and Artist Talks to cover different topics. “We have to understand our roots to know what the future holds,” said Taiwanese film director, Te-Sheng Wei (魏德聖). The Hope Talks invites the director to give us a diverse and unique cinema experience as we walk alongside him through this remarkable film-making journey. The Artist Talks invites Taiwanese and Canadian artists to exchange their viewpoints and stories. “As the world is becoming a smaller and smaller place, while people’s curiosity and interests are growing.” said Robert Keer, the Artistic Director of 2010 Olympic Cultural Olympiad. Also the Virtual art Gallery like “Behind the Masks” and “I’m different, just lie you!”, Friendship Kitchen, Taiwan Bookstore, Films, interactive projects, Under the Same Sky that allows you to upload your work to express your opinions and creativity. Also planned is an in-person art installation called “Sky” in downtown Vancouver.
TaiwanFest is organized by the Asian-Canadian Special Events Association. The Ministry of Culture, Taiwan has sponsored it for many years. It has been the event introducing Taiwanese culture to Canada and forming connections between local and international artists and visitors through the arts.
To see the special and scheduled events on line, please visit website on:
Opening Ceremony Symphony Concert:
Click HERE: The Island and the Maple Leaf Concert, August 29, 8:00 PM-10:30 (ET):
Scheduled events include virtual exhibitions and talks:
Click HERE: Toronto beginning on August 28
Click HERE: Vancouver beginning on September 5