The first session of the "2018 Talks a la Taiwan II" in Hong Kong will begin on July 20, with bookstore operator Mercy Wu (吳旻潔), choreographer Cheng Tsung-lung (鄭宗龍), photographer Chang Chao-tang (張照堂), and music producer CinCin Lee (李欣芸) arriving from Taiwan to give talks between July and November.
Established by the Kwang Hwa Information and Culture Centre, "Talks a la Taiwan" have been held for seven consecutive years to promote Taiwanese culture in Hong Kong. Scores of scholars, artists, and cultural professionals from Taiwan have joined the series, sharing topics encompassing literature, film, cuisine, fine arts, architecture, and the environment.
On July 20, Wu will discuss the transformative journey of Eslite Bookstore and its effects upon both its host city Taipei and the reading habits of the Taiwanese public.
Wu is the daughter of Eslite founder Robert Ching-yu Wu and current chairwoman of one of Asia's largest bookstore chains. The senior Wu had inspired bookstores around the world with his persistence, passion, and visionary operational model ― a torch now borne by his heir.
On Sept. 20, Cheng will discuss how he presents morality and desire through dance that takes inspiration from the body movements of Taiwanese religious rituals.
Cheng presently heads Cloud Gate 2, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's premier incubation program for young dancers and choreographers to grow their own brand of aesthetics. He is slated to take over Lin Hwai-min's position as artistic director of Cloud Gate in 2020.
On Oct. 12, Chang will discuss how he embraced surrealism as a form of rebellion against political and cultural stagnation during the repressive Taiwanese society of the 1950s.
Chang is the first photographer to win the prestigious National Cultural Award in the past 23 years. In his half-decade love affair with photography, he has transitioned from bulky photography equipment to modern digital cameras, although he still baulks at color prints, preferring the simplicity of black-and-white imagery.
On Nov. 15, Lee will discuss how music and soundtracks can enhance the cinematic experience of watching a movie.
Lee is a Golden Melody Award-winning album producer who works with instrumental music and movie soundtracks. Her music accompanies films such as "Double Vision" directed by Chen Ku-fu, "The Boar King" by Kuo Chen-ti, and "Paradise in Service" by Doze Niu.
‘2018 Talks a la Taiwan II’
Date: July 20 – Nov. 15, 2018
Venue: Kwang Hwa Information and Culture Centre
Address: Suite 4907, 49/F Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Website: https://hk.taiwan.culture.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=832&s=23451