Image reproduced from Yahoo! News

The students of the National Taiwan University of Arts successfully showcased Eastern traditional theater and folk skills at the annual cultural festival in Grevenbroich, Germany, catching the attention of local residents and foreign friends. This tour was conducted in a vibrant atmosphere of artistic exchange, establishing deeper cultural ties between the younger generations of Taiwan and Germany, and demonstrating the potential for collaboration between the two nations in the arts.

The event attracted many important guests, including Klaus Krützen, the mayor of Grevenbroich, and Ambassador Hsieh Chih-wei from the Taipei Representative Office in Germany, both of whom attended the event to appreciate the performances. Ambassador Hsieh expressed his gratitude for the dedication and outcomes displayed by the Academy's students, stating that he was deeply moved by the students' exciting performances. The local audience, from the mayor to the general public, felt the excitement and enthusiasm, marking the occasion as an unforgettable experience of public diplomacy.

This marks the third visit by the arts students to Germany to participate in '2025 Unlimited Theater', in addition to engaging in a week-long cultural exchange event during 'Taiwan Week' at two high schools. During the cultural festival, the students also staged performances that included Peking opera's 'Generals of Valor', which captures the spirit of defending one's homeland, as well as folk arts students performing 'Flag Dance' and 'Bell Dance', showcasing exquisite martial arts skills and acrobatics. The classic performance 'The Monkey King Disrupts the Dragon Palace' featured clever and comical antics of the Monkey King, engaging in thrilling fights with the Dragon King and his minions, winning loud applause from the audience.

Moreover, the students also performed erhu solos, 'Circus of Skill' that combines gymnastics and dance, 'Dance on Tiptoes' showcasing juggling with umbrellas, and the fast-paced 'Juggling Cigarette Boxes', demonstrating the wealth of diversity in Taiwan's folk arts and the achievements of the University in arts education.

Additionally, the event included cultural experience booths where visitors could engage in traditional activities such as Chinese chess, mahjong, origami, calligraphy, and face painting, providing the German audience with a close-up experience of Taiwanese culture. This cultural exchange event was not only a captivating performance but also served to deepen the friendship and cultural connections between Taiwan and Germany.