A Glimpse into Their Stories in “Embodying Theirstories”
The theme of the 2024 Taipei Arts Festival is “Embodying Theirstories.” Participating artists from Japan, France, Belgium, Thailand, and Taiwan will showcase diverse perspectives and approaches to viewing and handling history through various forms and perspectives. This year, the festival features several prominent artists and their remarkable works, such as Huan-Hsiung Li, the director who won the Grand Prize at the 20th Taishin Arts Award; Rong-Yu Wang, a National Award for Arts recipient; Mathilde Monnier, former director and choreographer of the Centre National de la Danse in France; and Akaji Maro, the legendary Butoh master from Japan. The inclusion of both mid-career and emerging artists brings different dimensions to the historical narratives symbolized by “Embodying Theirstories.” Theatre can be a medium for retelling history, a reflection on life, or an imaginative re-creation of history. These storytelling methods represent the most captivating and essential moments in theatre, much like the most valuable artifacts stored in a museum. This year’s Taipei Arts Festival presents its program within the context of “Embodying Theirstories.”