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Taiwan's Covid-19 Response and Weiwuying Make the Financial Times!
Once again, the world has seen how well Taiwan has responded to COVID-19 in a recent and extensive article in the UK's Financial Times entitled "Taiwan's Stunning New Art Centre Springs Back to Life." It describes how most program venues in Western nations have been closed due to the pandemic, while the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) has been putting on programs since the first half of 2021. It also speaks of the significance Weiwuying holds as a symbol of freedom and democracy and the outlook for Taiwan's cultural development.
According to the article, when the world was first hit by COVID-19 early last year, Taiwan was the "first country to pick itself up and resume live concerts." Similarly, during the first half of this year, with Taiwan's highly effective pandemic control measures, locals will continue to be able to enjoy performances both indoors and outdoors at Weiwuying safely.
CHIEN Wen-pin, Weiwuying's Executive Office General and Artistic Director, stated, "Taiwan not having to put the brakes on art as a result of the pandemic may be credited to our hardworking medical workers, the general public, and the diligence of the government. Thus, art, along with the people of Taiwan, has been able to pick itself back. Artists and theaters worldwide have been envious of this achievement and have wondered how Taiwan has pulled it off. We are happy to share what we have done and learned with them and look forward to the shadow of the pandemic being lifted as soon as possible so things can get back to normal."
The article also spoke about how CHIEN, the first person from Asia to be named a lifelong conductor at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, uses his extensive experience in both Eastern and Western art. It also spoke about how CHIEN, Taiwan's first artist to take on the position of general and artistic director at a national-level theater, leads Weiwuying (the world's largest theater complex under one roof), discovering completely new possibilities for performing arts through the spirit of innovation in this most recent of Taiwan's cultural facilities. For instance, the Weiwuying Opera House puts on classical operas and immersive theater performances, in which the audience interacts with performers.
Weiwuying will offer audiences a number of brilliant programs as always during the first half of this year. The first group of programs to be announced includes a major production of VERDI - La Traviata. In the realm of instrumental music, there will be The Grand Organ Night, a joint effort by CHIEN and the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra, and a concert by violinist Paul HUANG and Taiwan's National Symphony Orchestra. As for dramas, we will see LIAO Chiung-chih The Living Human Treasures and NCO, put on by LIAO Chung-Chih and Taiwan's National Chinese Orchestra; Zheng ZhiLong, the Pirate King of Formosa, co-produced by the Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Culture Group and the Story Works Theatre Company; and Our Theatre's Palaces, which was commissioned by National Performing Arts Center.
Furthermore, the Storytelling Concert Deep Lake Man will make Weiwuying the first venue in Taiwan to use d&b Soundscape, a surround sound-like audio system. The Belgian Kiss&Cry Collective, which excels at incorporating film, theater, and dance elements, will bring us Cold Blood. For programs organized by Weiwuying, early-bird discounts of 25% off will be available until noon on Wednesday, January 27. For more information, please visit the Weiwuying website.
Before any event is held, Weiwuying will conduct assessments based on the six risk indicators from the CECC's Guidelines for Large-scale Public Gatherings. Also, our pandemic control response plan includes forehead temperature measurements, hand disinfection, name and contact information registration, and the mandatory use of masks at all times to reduce the risk of infection for performers and members of the audience. Upon entering the Weiwuying complex, all members of the public are to wear masks. The complex is disinfected once every hour. Employees’ forehead temperatures are measured before they begin to work, and they must wear masks throughout the duration of their shifts. Control measures are to be adjusted under the latest instructions from the central government. Weiwuying also reminds everyone to wash their hands frequently and adequately, and those who have a fever or any acute respiratory infection symptoms should immediately seek medical assistance.
※Click this link to read the article in the Financial Times.