Taipei Multicultural Arts Group Supports the 2005 Hualien International Totem Festival
The two week festival kicked off on April 16th at the Hualien County Cultural Affairs Bureau Culture Plaza in downtown Hualien. In the words of the Director of the Cultural Affairs Department, Ms. Wu Shu-zi, "Of all Taiwan's counties, Hualien is the richest in indigneous culture." The Festival featured a wide range of activities and events for all ages to enjoy. Eight performance art groups sharing the stories and totems of Taiwan's indigenous peoples were the focus of an afternoon and evening show held at the Hualien County Cultural Center. For the kids, there was also totem clay-making and cookie-making. A national totem design competition was held to inspire totemic designs that convey the Spirit of Taiwan. The event also hosted a discussion of cultural industries promotion.
The Taipei Multicultural Arts Group worked closely with the Hualien government
in planning and supporting this first Annual Totem festival. Pictured are Alice Takiwatan,
troupe leader of the Taipei Multicultural Arts Group
(多元文化藝術團團長亞磊絲．泰吉華),
Hualen County Commisioner, Hsieh ShenShan (花蓮縣長謝深山)
and Cultural Affairs Director,
Ms. Wu Shu-zi ( 花蓮縣文化局局長吳淑)
(2nd, 4th and 5th from left).
The Taipei Multicultural Arts Group drew from its island-wide network
of performers and artists to present a variety of performances to contribute
to the festival offerings.
In addition to performances Taipei Multicultural Arts Group contributed generously to the
international cultural exhibit.
This exhibit of Paiwan "bead paintings" exemplifies the Group's
creative synthesis of traditional and modern culture.
Close up of Paiwan bead painting.
The Taipei Multicultural Arts Group also displayed traditional and modern indiginous clothing and fabrics.
Another "modern" innovation — Painting on wooden plate
by the Yami people of Orchid island - "Painting the Eyes on the Boat"