SOH News

Chinese Spectacular finale receives warm accolades from the president and dignitaries of Taiwan.

Thursday March 20th, 2008

The two successive performances starring the Divine Performing Arts of New York successfully concluded at the auditorium of Chung Cheng University in Chiayi City. During the troupes’ tour of Taiwan, many politicians and scholars presented bouquets of flowers and hanging scrolls of Chinese painting or Calligraphy. Taiwanese President Chen Shui-Bian, President of Executive Yuan Zhang Jun-xiong, President of the Legislative Yuan Wang jin-ping, and Examination Yuan President Yao Jia-wen, presented flowers as well as sent letters to congratulate the success of the performance tour.

Congratulatory messages have also been received from the following dignitaries including legislator Wu Yu-Sheng, Zhang Hua-guan, Weng Chong-jun, Lai Qing-de, Lee Ji-zhu; Yunlin County Magistrate Su Zhi-fen, deputy county magistrate Lin yuan-quan; the mayor of Chiayi Huang min-hui; Yunlin County Assembly Speaker Su Jin-Huang, Chiayi County Assembly Speaker Yu Zheng-Da; the headmaster of Chiayi University Lee Ming-ren; Chiayi City councilman Hong you-ren; Tainan City councilman Chen zong-yan and Xiao bo-ren; KMT Secretary-General Wu Dun-yi; President, the Vice-presidential candidate Ma Ying-jing and Xiao wan-zhang; they have also presented the flowers and hanging scrolls of Chinese calligraphy and paintings to acclaim the perfection and the elegance of the shows. Around 5000 tickets for the morning and evening shows were sold out

These two finales in Taiwan have gathered people from all walks of life to share in the cultural feast. Audiences who attended these shows include those from the political circles, arts and cultural sector, the financial sector, academic sector and representatives of public servants.

March the 20th also happened to coincide with the two parties’ election activities held in Chiayi before Taiwan’s presidential election. Even this did not dampen the people’s enthusiasm for the Spectacular.

The National Chung Cheng University vice principal and the deputy magistrate of Yunlin County also attended the performance in an official capacity and expressed their heartfelt thanks for the arrival of Divine Performing Arts and their contributions to the Chinese traditional culture.

The University of Chicago and National Chung Cheng University mathematics President, Dr. Wu Zhi-yang, expressed his fascination with the dancers:

“I was fascinated with the drums, the last special program, he said, I was sitting in the front row and felt its strong power. It was said this has been performed from ancient to the modern times, which is really unique and is very rare in Taiwan. I think the program with the most shock value for me is vocalist in the last program, he has a deep and rich voice and the lyrics he sang were really moving.”

Chiayi County Deputy Director of Education Xiu-Long said:

”When I was watching the show, I was totally immersed into the scenes, and I felt very happy and imbued with energy. I loved the feeling I received during the scene of the deities descending into the world. The dancers seemed have endless energy and every movement was both delicate and forceful.”

The twenty-two performances by the Divine Performing Arts of New York have been showcased in the five cities including Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung in a tour that has lasted 17 days. During this time the show has captured the hearts and admiration of the people of Taiwan, and reached over 60,000 audiences in all. From 22th to 24th of April, the troupe will return to South Korea and present five performances for the local people.

The above news is brought to you by Tang mei, Zhu jia-qi,and Helen Guan for Stages of the East on SOH Radio Network.