Penangites come out in droves to experience 'Art Truck Shows Taiwan'

GEORGE TOWN: The "Art Truck Shows Taiwan" 2017 has received an overwhelming response with more than 1,000 people attending the event in front of Penang City Hall, Esplanade here last night.
General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC) Taiwan vice-president Chiang Chun-Nan, in his speech, said the purpose of the two-day event was to facilitate cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Malaysia.
"We want to show the passion of Taiwan to Malaysians here in this two-day show."
GACC Deputy Secretary-General Chang Tieh Chih said that it was an excellent opportunity to build a better relationship between Penang and Taiwan throughout the event.
He said over 70 teams performed during the three-and-a-half-hour event to showcase Taiwan to Malaysians.
"We have picked Penang as the first station to start the project," he said.
Also present were Penang Local Government, Traffic and Flood Mitigation exco Chow Kon Yeow, Penang Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik, Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Berapit assemblyman Ong Kok Fooi and Batu Lanchong assemblyman Lee Khai Loon.
The second performance will be held at Autocity, starting at 7.30pm tonight.
In his speech, Chow admitted he was worried that the event would not go smoothly as Penang had been facing downpours and floods in the past two weeks.
"It is great that the "Art Truck Show Taiwan" 2017 picked two spots in Penang for its project to exchange cultural relations between Taiwan and Penang. It brings a 'little Taiwan' to Penang.
"I hope our 'Penang Bicycle' would be able to go to Taiwan to showcase our culture as well in the future," he said.
Meanwhile, Law said the event also proves to local artistes that art performances are not limited to be held in theatres.
Instead, public performances serve as an opportunity for the people to familiarise themselves with the local arts scene.
The "Art Truck Show Taiwan" 2017 showcases two performance groups, which are Chio-Tian Folk Drums and Arts Troupe and Yen Yung-Neng and Takao Run Troupe.
The Chio-Tian Folk Drums and Arts Troupe was founded by Chen-Jung Hsu in 1995. The group was initially a traditional Taiwanese temple fair parade team.
It has since focused its efforts on the innovation and refinement of its art and performance, elevating the traditional local parade show to a higher level of artistic quality and expertise.
Chio-Tian has performed in the United States, Japan, Philipines and other countries. They also produce original theatrical programmes aimed at promoting and preserving Taiwan's beautiful folk culture at the international stage.
The Yen Yung-Neng and Takao Run Troupe was established in 1997 to promote the beauty of Taiwanese culture and the story of its people.
The elements of the group's performance come Taiwanese Opera and folks songs.
The performances take audiences back in time to rediscover the virtues and strife of Taiwanese ancestors.
Taiwanese indie singer, songwriter, actress and playwright Enno Cheng also performed four songs in the event.
Her warm singing tone, poetic and contagious lyrics and candid manner have influenced young people in Taiwan over the years.
Veteran music producer, songwriter, lyricist and writer in Ming-Yo Hsieh performed six songs.
Hsieh has composed touching works based on his personal experience and his pieces exquisitely showcase the beauty of the Taiwanese language.
He is also known as the "Taiwanese Poet Singer".