Year 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the NTCH. Over the course of the past quarter of a century, the NTCH has staged numerous classic performances by artists around the globe, leaving wonderful memories to audience coming from far and wide. The Taiwan International Festival of Arts (TIFA) has quickly become an annual highlight in Taiwan’s performing art circle since its establishment in 2009, and an impressive event looked forward by art lovers. For its 25th birthday, TIFA 2012 chooses “Heritage and Development” as the theme for a series of masterworks by artists in and out of Taiwan, in addition to cross-border and crossover new productions. It is our intention for artists to re-examine how to preserve the essence of tradition in the process of handing down heritage, at the same time opening up new avenues of creativity. TIFA 2012 will run from February 16 until April 1 for a period of 46 days, rolling out 19 brilliant programs to present a total of 60 exciting shows in the NTCH’s four venues. The diversified programs allow the audience to get a taste of each performing group’s outstanding work. Aside from relishing the classics, we can also be abreast of the latest trends and directions in performing arts in the world. International productions in TIFA 2012 include the legendary Peter Brook’s theater version of A Magic Flute (France), award-winning director Declan Donnellan’s re-interpretation of Shakespeare's classic The Tempest (UK/ Russia), Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under the direction of conducting prodigy Daniel Harding (Germany), pipa virtuoso Wu Man’s (US) musical dialogue with her Taiwanese aboriginal friends, Political Mother by the trendsetting Hofesh Shechter Company (UK), Delusion by avant-garde theater pioneer Laurie Anderson (US), celebrated puppeteer Yeung Faï and Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne in a co-production of Hand Stories (Swiss), Perth Theatre Company’s The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer teeming with eco-awareness (Australia), Will There Really Be a “Morning”? co-produced by French choreographer Myriam Herve-Gil and Dance Forum Taipei (France/ Taiwan), one-man show Interrogations: Words of the Zen Masters by renowned actor Yoshi Oida (Japan), and the exotic mandolin concert Balkan Quartet:Avi Avital and His Friends (Israel). On the other end, Taiwan's major performing art groups are also launching new productions, including the NSO opera concert Suor Angelica, NSO25’s Centennial Russia, Mr. Wing Theatre Company’s Taipei Dad, New York Mom adapted from Mickey CHEN’s novel of the same name, The Han Tang Yuefu Music and Dance Ensemble’s elegant The King and Queen of the Shang Dynasty - Wu Ding & Fu Hao, Guo Guang Opera Company’s Cleopatra and Her Fools adapted from a Shakespearian masterpiece, Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company’s Shadows of Love, and The Puppet & Its Double Theater’s La Réminiscence d'un fantôme, all specially tailored made for the TIFA. As for NTCH’s crossborder production in 2012, Mourad Merzouki, founder/choreographer of Compagnie Käfig known for his unique street dance style, collaborates with Johan Ku, Taiwanese fashion designer famous for his sculpture-like knitwear, in a crossover dance work that borrows from the concept of knitting, simply bursting with exciting innovation and surprise. A good show needs the support from each and every audience. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the countless supporters who have been with the NTCH in person and in spirit through this fantastic quarter of a century. We sincerely welcome you to come and enjoy the varied programs at TIFA 2012. Hope to see you soon.
HUANG Pi-twan Artistic Director, National Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center