A trio of dance companies will gather in Hong Kong to celebrate the similarities and differences among their respective hometowns - Hong Kong, Taitung, and Seoul - in a stunning three-part performance titled "Tale of Three Cities” from Feb. 2 through 5.
Representing Taiwan at the dance summit is Bulareyaung Dance Company (布拉瑞揚舞團, stylized as "B.D.C”), a platform for young dancers in eastern Taiwan founded by Bulareyaung Pagarlava, former principal dancer for Cloud Gate 2 and the Martha Graham Dance Company.
After achieving considerable fame in life, Bulareyaung started to focus on his identity as a member of the indigenous Paiwan community. The process of self-discovery led him to establish the dance company in 2014 and embark on a new journey of cultivating young dancers and producing aboriginal performances.
B.D.C aims to provide a stage in eastern Taiwan for young dancers. Though members of B.D.C did not receive prior formal training, they can intuitively develop different kinds of body movements and gestures, which show the originality and beauty of Taiwan's aboriginal peoples.
For their upcoming performance in Hong Kong, B.D.C has chosen to perform "Qaciljay (阿棲睞),” a physical tribute to the pristine landscapes of eastern Taiwan. It is the group's second independent production, choreographed after Bulareyaung led B.D.C to to walk and sing in the mountains of his hometown Buliblosan (嘉蘭) in Taitung.
"Qaciljay” - meaning "stone” in the Paiwan language - will take visitors on a sensory journey spanning the traditional customs and ginger harvests of the Paiwan people. The dance piece draws from age-old customs of joining hands and chanting powerfully to illustrate the sacred union of people and earth.
The two other dance groups of the troika showcase are Hong Kong Dance Company and the Han Dance Project. The former will present "Four Seasons” to celebrate the cycle of life, death, and rebirth while the latter will perform "Furious Sea - Memory on Ube” to commemorate the victims of the 1942 Chosei Coal Mine Disaster.
‘Hong Kong x Taitung x Seoul: Tale of Three Cities'