Organized by Kwang Hwa Information and Culture Center, the 15th Taiwan Arts Festival –‘Ciao! Taiwan’ is scheduled to run from October 9 to November 22, presenting eight programs to pay tribute to tradition and showcase the transcendent creativity of Taiwan and Hong Kong.
This year, one of the highlights is the dance program,‘The Drifting Fate of Hakka’, presented by Taiwan’s first neoclassical dance troupe, the New Class Dance Company.
Hakka literally refers to ‘guest people’ in China living in different parts of the world, fleeing war, and poverty.
With its theme of ‘co-existence’, the program is the dance company’s signature work combining contemporary aesthetics and Hakka charm. It tells the story of ethnic migration and reveals the infinite diversity of Hakka’s arts and culture.
Choreographed by Lu Yi-chuan who himself is a Hakka born and raised in Taiwan’s Hakka village, is now the artistic director of the Neo-Classic Dance Company.
When asked how he comes up with the idea of the dance, Lu points to his background. “I love dancing and I have always wondered what I can do to help my community. Then, I thought maybe I can combine the Hakka element and culture into a large scale dance production, using dance to express the history, sense of humanity, culture, and a new touch of Hakka.”
Unfortunately, due to the covid-19 pandemic, the program will only be presented by video at the Asia Society Hong Kong center on November 14. After that, it will be streaming on YouTube and Kwang Hwa Information and Culture Centre’s Facebook for a month.
“It is a great shame that we cannot come to perform live for our audiences, as there is a huge difference,” says Lu. “I hope we can have another chance to perform at a professional theater in Hong Kong.”
The full work runs more than 90 minutes with four acts titled ‘Offering to the Heavens’; ‘The Way Out’; ‘The Hakka Style’; and ‘Drifting Fate’. But for the video version, the program only features Act I and Act III and has been shortened to 60 minutes.
To compensate for the edited version of the performance, a Hakka opera has been added at the beginning of the video to introduce the styles and characteristics of Hakka opera in Taiwan. Besides, there will be explanations on the customs, folk music, and choreography during the transitions, ensuring the audience can gain a full understanding of the performance and Hakka culture.
Lu stresses that there are many possibilities of creation, but the culture and traditions are always the roots. “The young generations are greatly attracted by western culture, but I hope this show can remind them not to forget preserving their roots.”
In the past centuries, Hakkas were subjected to several forced migrations and even mass killing. As the scars of the past remain, Lu leaves a question to the audience at the end of the performance.
“Would you rather choose to keep yourself trapped in negative thoughts, or stay positive to find another new way out in life?” Lu asks.
“This show is also my blessing to all Hongkongers, especially under the current circumstances, I hope they can have the wisdom and positive mind to live their best future.”
Aside from paying tribute to traditional Hakka culture, the festival also features the trending comic culture in Taiwan by introducing an online exhibition - ‘The Comic Tour of Taiwan: When Location Becomes the Story Stage’, on November 9.
The exhibition invites the chairman of Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation Alan Wang and popular new-generation Taiwanese comic artist Zuo Hsuan for a cross-strait online discussion on November 11 via the Kwang Hwa Information and Culture Center’s Facebook page. There is also a prize quiz for participants to win a comic book from Zuo Hsuan.
