The National Palace Museum (NPM), in collaboration with the National Taitung Living Art Center (NTLAC), has launched its annual Asian Art Festival on Oct. 5. Taking place at the NPM’s southern branch in Chiayi County until Nov. 3, this year’s Asian Art Festival focuses on Japan’s Okinawa, highlighting the NTLAC’s efforts in cultural exchange with Okinawa through its annual “H.O.T. Islands Music Festival.”
Organized by the NTLAC, the opening ceremony featured Okinawan performance group Ryujin, as well as Taiwanese indigenous music group Fa'edetay (發熱帶樂團).
It started off with Shishimai, an Okinawan dance performed to ward off evil spirits and pray for a good harvest, in addition to other traditional performances, such as Eisa and Sanshin.
For the climax of the ceremony, two arrangements of famous Okinawan songs “Nada Sousou” and “Hana”, fused with a Taiwanese indigenous cultural twist, were performed together by Ryujin and Fa’edetay, showcasing the cultural collaboration between Taiwanese Indigenous artists and Okinawan performers.
The month-long festival presents the diversity of human cultures through the history of Okinawa Islands, exhibiting Okinawa’s cultural properties, handicrafts, performing arts, and unique cuisine. For more information, visit the NPM’s official website.