Four Taiwanese performing arts groups have started their three-week shows at the 2026 Festival Off Avignon in France. To promote their work, the groups joined the festival's opening street parade on Friday, July 3.
This year is a special milestone. It is the 60th edition of the Festival Off Avignon. It is also the 20th anniversary of Taiwan's participation in the famous arts festival.
The four Taiwanese groups are presenting different styles of dance and theater:
- "Trace of Belief" by Chun Dance: This show uses movement to explore Hakka cultural memories and daily rituals. It invites the audience to experience a shared ceremony.
- "∞ -- Infinite Loop" by Kuo-shin Chuang Pangcah Dance Theater: This dance is inspired by the Amis Indigenous people. It looks at their male age-grade system in harvest festivals, showing how dance connects to social order and memory.
- "Lost Connection" by Seed Dance: This energetic performance focuses on modern life. It shows how technology and digital devices have changed human behavior and relationships.
- "The Rite of Spring" by Dashing Theater: This show combines different types of movement to explore how the human body navigates and resists between different cultures.
During the street parade, performers from all over the world wore colorful costumes and gave short performances. The Taiwanese groups also performed along the route, which attracted many onlookers.
Chen Hung-hsing, the director of the Taiwan Cultural Center in Paris, explained the importance of the event. He said the festival gives Taiwanese artists a great opportunity to show their work to European audiences. It also helps them build connections with international arts networks.
The 2026 Festival Off Avignon runs from July 4 to July 25. The festival takes place in the southern French city of Avignon. It features around 1,780 productions in more than 140 different venues.