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Traditional temple arrays listed as independent subsidy category

  • Date:2020-02-01
Traditional temple arrays listed as independent subsidy category

The National Center for Traditional Arts' grand opening performance for the Lunar New Year — "Renaissance for a New Year: Tīn-thâu Rhapsody (年味復興•陣頭狂響)" — was held on the outdoor plaza of Taipei's Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center on the eve of Feb. 1, when the decision to list Taiwan's traditional temple array processions as a separate subsidy category eligible for government funding was announced.

Deputy Minister of Culture Hsiao Tsung-huang, who was in attendance, remarked that starting from this year, temple array processions known as tīn-thâu (陣頭) will be listed in the "Key Points for National Center for Traditional Arts (NCFTA) Subsidies (國立傳統藝術中心補助作業要點)" as an independent category for grants. This is part of the Ministry's efforts to support the sustainable development and dissemination of the art form and to showcase its unique artistic and subjective nature.

The Ministry of Culture is committed to preserving and promoting tīn-thâu culture and to fostering more specialists and practitioners in this and other traditional arts. This led the Ministry to amend the "Key Points for National Center for Traditional Arts Subsidies" this year, in which the "folk acrobatics (民間雜技)" section was split into the two independent categories of "tīn-thâu (陣頭)" and "folk crafts and performances (民俗技藝)." This shall facilitate the sustainable development and dissemination of such intangible heritage while maintaining the arts' ties to history and traditions.

"Renaissance for a New Year: Tīn-thâu Rhapsody" is focused on the theme of "driving out evil and welcoming prosperity" and headlined by the Chio Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe (九天民俗技藝團). A series of fantastic shows and activities, it is a part of ritualistic traditions praying for peace and good fortune in the Year of the Rat.

The Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center has also taken thorough preventative measures in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, with staff having their temperatures taken daily and being required to wear masks and gloves. Medical stations and aids are on site, visitors’ temperatures are taken with forehead thermometer sensors as they enter, and alcohol is provided for disinfectant purposes. All are welcome to visit the Center and experience the unique local artistry and creativity of tīn-thâu performances.