With support from the Ministry of Culture and the Taiwan Cultural Paris Center in Paris, Taiwanese performing arts groups will perform in the OFF Festival d'Avignon, one of the world's most renowned fringe arts festivals, from July 7 to 30 in Avignon, France. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, MOC has selected exceptional Taiwanese teams to participate in this year's events as Europe is gradually easing pandemic prevention measures.
Selected teams and works include "The Back of Beyond (無盡胎藏)" by Tai Gu Tales Dance Theater (太古踏舞團), "See You (再見)" by Hung Dance (翃舞製作), and "DUO (彼此彼此)" by 0471 Acro Physical Theatre (0471特技肢體劇場). Based on choreographer Lin Hsiu-wei's (林秀偉) childhood memory in Keelung, "The Back of Beyond" is a dream ritual, where Chinese philosophy meets western dance technique. Focusing on feelings, "See You" recounts various stories related to goodbyes from an objective point of view. In "DUO," two performers seek to remain unique, and also define themselves in relation to each other during the show. The 0471 Acro Physical Theatre aims to transmit emotional feelings and human relationships through acrobatic techniques.
Over the years, the Taiwan Cultural Paris Center in Paris has unceasingly contributed to the promotion of the project, which not only expands the opportunities for Taiwanese performing arts teams to perform on the international stage but also broadens the horizon of participating artists. For example, B.DANCE (丞舞製作), which was selected for this project in 2016 and 2019, gained favor with media and professionals. With the help of the Taiwan Cultural Paris Center in Paris, B.DANCE was invited to tour internationally to theaters in countries such as France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Germany, from February to April this year.