2019 Taichung Traditional Arts Festival will be held at the Huludun Cultural Center, Harbor Art Center, Taichung Central Area Art and Culture Center, and Dadun Cultural Center from February 7 to 10 (3rd to 6th day of Chinese New Year). In total, 40 outstanding domestic troupes will be staging traditional arts performances such as Dragon and Lion Dance, War Drum, and Puppet Theater. Other exciting activities include a creative market, handicraft DIY and games. According to Deputy Mayor Chiung-ying Yang, besides performances, market, handicrafts and obstacle challenge games, the 4 major art centers will also be handing out traditional arts themed red envelopes, so everyone is welcome to visit Taichung during Chinese New Year.

City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau held the press conference for 2019 Taichung Traditional Arts Festival today (23rd), inviting Wei Jing Dragon/Lion Dance, Martial Arts and War Drum Troupe to present a scintillating performance to raise the curtain for this year’s Taichung Traditional Arts Festival. Deputy Mayor Yang attended the press conference accompanied by Acting Director-General of Cultural Affairs Bureau Ta-chun Chang, Director of Huludun Cultural Center Chang-yuen Lin, Director of Harbor Art Center Kuo-hung Wen, Director of Taichung Central Area Art and Culture Center Chao-hua Chen, and Director of Dadun Cultural Center Wen-chin Chen, as well as City Councilor Ling-hsuan Jan and representative from City Councilor Wen-cheng Chen’s office.

According to Deputy Mayor Yang, since its inception, Taichung Traditional Arts Festival has demonstrated the beauty of local arts. Out of 40 outstanding domestic troupes invited this year, more than half of them are local art troupes based in Taichung. During the event, all 4 major art centers will also be handing out traditional arts themed red envelopes to the public, and a variety of dazzling performances will be staged to liven up the atmosphere. Everyone in the country is welcome to join the fun-filled event at the 4 major art centers from the 3rd day to the 6th day of Chinese New Year.

Deputy Mayor Yang also pointed out that Taichung flora expo will be open throughout the Chinese New Year, so travelers worldwide are invited to come to the art centers during the Chinese New Year and head to the 3 main expo sites of the flora expo to appreciate the enchanting beauty of floriculture in Taichung.
Cultural Affairs Bureau pointed out that since the city government launched the traditional arts festival in 2004, high quality, emerging troupes have been encouraged to perform at the event. Every year, at least half of the performance troupes are from Taichung. This year, over 40 performance groups and street artists have been invited to stage performances at art and cultural centers in Huludun, Harbor Area, Central Area, and Dadun. In addition, various centers have devised cultural and creative, toys, folklore, and light meal markets and game experiences for the visitors, while traditional art themed red envelopes and check-in to receive great prize activities will be held to let everyone celebrate Chinese New Year in a festive mood.

In particular, Taichung Central Area Art and Culture Center organized Coloring Pigs to Bring Good Fortune event on February 7, inviting Wei Jing Dragon/Lion Dance, Martial Arts, and War Drum Troupe to kick off this year’s traditional arts festival with its exciting performance. From February 8 to 10, Taichung Sheng-Wu-Chou Puppet Troupe, Central Taiwan Zhenxing Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe, Musou Band, and Lee Ching Fang Taiwanese Opera Troupe will take to the stage, while piggy cuisine, DIY handicraft, second-hand market, and street artist performance will also be organized.

Huludun Cultural Center’s Celebrating New Year with Traditional Arts will kick off at 15:00 on February 7, inviting Central Taiwan Zhenxing Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe and Taichung Sheng-Wu-Chou Puppet Troupe to stage the Fantastic Journey to the West performance. From February 8 to 10, Li Tang Hua Acrobatics Troupe, Little Frog Theatre, Shiny Shoes Children’s Theater, Shi Gang Junior High School Taiko Troupe, Galaxy Children's Theatre, and Yuan-Yun Chinese Chamber Orchestra will be taking to the stages.

Harbor Art Center’s Blooming Blossoms Bring Auspiciousness will take place from February 7 to 10, inviting Run Run Takauo, Sun Son Theatre, Butterfly Dance Studio, and Taichung Sheng-Wu-Chou Puppet Troupe to stage performances. In the nearby Qingshui Military Dependents’ Village Cultural Park, activities such as cartoon and comic figures, sock bean bag piggy DIY and small farmers’ cultural and creative market etc. (http://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw )。

Dadun Cultural Center’s Celebrate Chinese New Year and Year of the Pig with Traditional Arts will be held on February 7, inviting Yongyi Dragon/Lion Dance and Drum Art Troupe, The New One Theatre, Cool Magic, Moon Star Bollywood, Max Music, Sirens Vocal Band, Show Band, and Jin Yu Yuan Puppet Theater. Other peripheral activities include handicraft DIY and market, while obstacle challenge games are held every afternoon to win lottery tickets, and visitors who have taken a photo and checked-in on Facebook will receive handmade snacks. Red envelopes are handed out every hour to liven up the ambiance. For additional information about related events and dates, please visit Taichung City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau’s official website (http://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw).