Words from the Artistic Director
ECHOS FROM IMAGINATION
Ever since the National Theatre and Concert Hall (NTCH) organized the first Taiwan International Festival of Arts (TIFA) in 2009, the annual event stemming from the experience of program planning for nearly 30 years has attracted great attention from audiences both in Taiwan and abroad. For the past seven years, whenever the autumn approaches, the NTCH always receives from the audiences, enthusiastically inquiring about the programs of next year’s TIFA, and looking forward to the amazing programs brought by those outstanding performing groups worldwide. Now, the result of the brainstorming hard work for the last two years is going to be unveiled.
As an annual event, the TIFA only might only meet the audiences by pure serendipity. But the NTCH is more concerned about whether the momentary encounter on the stage could leave eternal aesthetic impact and artistic energy to expand the horizon for both artists and audiences in Taiwan and whether it could infuse refreshing creativity and innovation into Taiwan’s performing arts. That is the original as well as the ultimate goal for the planning team hidden behind the festivity of the grand feast of performing arts. As the performing arts venue of the most seniority in Taiwan, the NTCH’s each move always draws attentions from all walks of society. Therefore, it is hoped that by lifting the curtain of the TIFA in February every year, the NTCH could ignite the vitality of performing arts in Taiwan and gradually enrich its soil through abysmal cultural cultivation.
After discussions, the 2016 TIFA is set to surround the theme of “Echoes from Imagination.” Imaginations deriving from sounds transcend forms and limitations, exhibit the charm of theater, and realize the indefinite possibilities of creativities. This is not only the international trend of the development for performing arts, but also a beautiful vocal expression from Taiwan. Please enjoy it and see you at NTCH soon.
Huey-mei Lee
Artistic Director
National Theater & Concert Hall National Performing Arts Center