To encourage outstanding performing arts groups in Taiwan to broaden their international perspectives through participation in renowned international arts festivals, foster exchanges with industry professionals, and expand their presence on the global stage, the Ministry of Culture has, for several consecutive years, selected and subsidized teams to take part in the Festival Off Avignon in France and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Ministry of Culture held a pre-departure press conference for the “2025 Taiwan Season at the Festival Off Avignon and Edinburgh Festival Fringe” on June 20th. The event introduced the selected performing arts groups and their productions for this year. Among them are DROP by Yinalang Group, a registered performing arts group based in Taichung, and Love Utopia, curated by FOCA Formosa Circus Art. The latter is directed and performed by Mimofatguy, a well-known street performer from Taichung, showcasing the city’s vibrant creative energy. Chen Chia-chun, director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung, also attended the press conference to cheer for "Team Taichung".

Director Chen Chia-chun noted that Taichung City has long been committed to supporting performing arts groups and street performers. The city government will continue to allocate resources and assist local artists in applying for grants from the Ministry of Culture or international exchange programs, enabling them to step onto the global stage and allowing the world to see Taiwan and Taichung. During last year’s Taichung Summer Circus Festival, Love Utopia was performed by Mimofatguy, who skillfully blended humor, improvisation, and traditional clowning, breaking the boundaries of conventional theater and integrating the performance into the audience’s everyday life. His outstanding ability to command the stage and create real-time tension was met with unanimous praise from the audience.

And this time, renowned Taichung street performer Mimofatguy will bring his critically acclaimed production Love Utopia to the Festival Off Avignon in France, using physical expression to portray the whimsical and poetic facets of love. Known for his distinctive fusion of mime, clowning, and magic, Mimofatguy has not only earned great popularity among the street performers but has also made a notable entrance into the theater scene in recent years. In Love Utopia, his witty and humorous physical performance bridges the gap between audiences and contemporary circus arts, offering a refreshing experience. The production stands as a vibrant showcase of Taiwan’s humor and creative strength.

Yinalang Group is a registered performing arts group based in Taichung, specializing in a unique narrative style that combines everyday objects, light and shadow, and puppetry. Centered on the concept of “object theatre,” the group excels in storytelling through items drawn from daily life, creating a theatrical atmosphere that is both whimsical and thought-provoking. Their works, rich in both educational value and artistic merit, are well-loved by families and theater enthusiasts alike. In 2025, their production DROP continues the creative spirit of their earlier Story of Summer Fruits series. The story portrays the journey of a fruit through the changing seasons, symbolizing the relationship between humans, the land, and nature, as well as the process of growth. This original object theatre piece will be presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it will engage international audiences with a culturally rooted narrative from Taiwan.

Director Chen Chia-chun added that culture represents a city's soft power and core competitiveness. Taichung will continue to support local artistic development through institutionalized cultural subsidy programs, encouraging local teams to cultivate their creative practices. With international performance opportunities as a long-term goal, the city aspires to see more Taichung artists shine on the global stage and bring the city’s creative energy to the world. The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung has curated a diverse range of exhibitions and performances throughout the year. For more information on upcoming events, please visit the official website of the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau (https://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw) or the Taichung Cultural Vanguard Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TaichungCulture).