The 2024 Miaobei Arts Festival, now in its fifth year kicks off on October 5. The theme this year, "Living World and Art in Miaobei," highlights the deep connection between culture and artistic expression. The festival will feature four major themes: "Masters," "Classical Symphonies," "Crossover Collaborations," and "National Treasure Masters," offering seven captivating performances and four thematic lectures.
On October 7, Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin, Director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau Lin Yan-fu, and Miaobei Art Center Chairman Hsu Chien-kang officially launched the festival at the National Theater and Concert Hall in Taipei. The event opened with a mesmerizing performance by the Golden Quintet, enchanting the audience with their beautiful melodies.
The festival this year features rich and diverse themes. "Masters", starting from October 5, sees the Ju Ming Museum curating the "Painted Living World: Special Sculpture Exhibition of Ju Ming," showcasing the Master’s painted wooden sculptures from the "Living World Series" and reflecting his core humanistic spirit and regional influences. "Crossover Collaborations", on October 9, comprises the Ensemble Wien-Berlin performance of a selection of Mozart opera adaptations and Dvořák string quartets reinterpreted for the woodwind quintet, offering a world-class chamber music experience. "Classical Symphonies", since its inception, has been a classical music feast for Central Taiwan. On October 27, the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (NTSO), under conductor Eiji Oue, will perform works by Smetana, Lee Yuan-chen, and Stravinsky. On November 3, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO) will perform Shostakovich's Symphony No. 11 and Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 under the direction of Eliahu Inbal. On December 1, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), conducted by Jörg Widmann, will present a special program intertwining Mozart and the glass harmonica, featuring soloist Christa Schönfeldinger. "National Treasure Masters", on December 22, features the Godot Theatre Company presenting the highly acclaimed comedy "We’re No Angels," directed by Liang Chi-ming and written by Chen Lo-jung, starring Sam Tseng, Action Tang, and Pink Yang. The play, themed "Believe, and Miracles Will Happen," portrays the beauty and sincerity of miraculous moments.
Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin expressed that Miaoli is renowned for its diverse culture, encompassing Hakka, Minnan, indigenous, and new immigrant communities. The festival is dedicated to promoting these cultures, featuring a special collaboration with the Ju Ming Museum to exhibit the Master's works. It also includes performances by renowned ensembles such as the Ensemble Wien-Berlin, NTSO, TSO, and the popular comedy of the Godot Theatre Company.
Master Ju Ming, born in Tongxiao, draws deep inspiration from the natural and cultural landscapes of his hometown. The special exhibition features his "Living World Series" wooden sculptures, capturing the dynamic essence of Miaoli’s scenery. The event has garnered significant attention from local residents, reflecting the community's passion for the arts. With the establishment of major tech companies like TSMC and PSMC in Miaoli, the influx of highly skilled talent has further enhanced the festival, adding vibrant support for the arts.
For all other performance details, visit the official website of the Miaobei Art Center. The festival will run from October 5 to December 22, and tickets are available for pre-order on OPENTIX from today. General sales start on August 8.