After 10 years of construction and a budget of NT$1.6 billion, the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center -- Taiwan’s first national theater for traditional Chinese theater arts -- officially opened on Nov. 3.
Situated in Shilin District of Taipei, the center’s architecture integrates contemporary and traditional aesthetics. Architect Kris Yao incorporated the concept of “in harmony with nature” and the “one table, two chair” of Peking opera stage setup in his design.
The opening ceremony was attended by President Tsai Ing-wen, Culture Minister Cheng Li-chiun, and architect Kris Yao, who voiced their support for Taiwan’s traditional Chinese opera preservation efforts.
President Tsai noted that there aren’t many countries like Taiwan that have kept different forms of traditional Chinese opera alive, and this is a source of Taiwan’s soft power.
Culture Minister Cheng Li-chiun noted that the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center in Taipei, the National Center for Traditional Arts in Yilan, and the Kaohsiung Center for Traditional Arts that will be completed in 2018 are the three major bases tasked with preserving Taiwan’s traditional performing arts.
She hopes the culture of enjoying traditional performances will soon become part of people’s everyday life again. More information on Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center can be found
here.