Taiwan Week: A Global Stage for Cultural Exchange and Artistic Innovation

Taipei Hosts International Festival Showcasing Contemporary Theater and Engaging Discussions on Society and the Future.

Taipei, April 14 – "Taiwan Week," a premier international platform dedicated to promoting the nation's performing arts and fostering cultural exchange, officially launched on Sunday. This year's event saw the participation of curators from 22 countries around the globe, as announced by the National Theater and Concert Hall (NTCH).

"Taiwan Week 2025 is more than an artistic showcase; it is an engagement in meaningful dialogue about society, culture, and the future," stated Liu Yi-ruu (劉怡汝), NTCH General and Artistic Director, during the opening ceremony.

This year's program features 15 productions that exemplify innovation in contemporary theater while addressing critical social and cultural issues, according to Liu.

She also highlighted the significance of the biennial event in providing opportunities for Taiwanese artists to collaborate with curators from across the world.

According to the NTCH, the featured works delve into themes such as transitional justice, gender, self and culture, emerging technologies, and environmental sustainability.

One of the highlights is "The Man Who Couldn't Leave" (無法離開的人), an immersive film offering audiences a unique perspective through virtual reality (VR).

Directed by Singing Chen (陳芯宜), this VR film explores the narratives of political victims from Taiwan's White Terror period, which spanned from 1949 to 1992.

Another notable production is "The Queen with No Name" (女王的名字), a theater show created by Wei Hai-min (魏海敏) and Wang Chia-ming (王嘉明), focusing on the Empress Dowager Cixi during the Qing Dynasty.

The event welcomes 48 esteemed curators and artistic directors from 22 countries, including Yusuke Hashimoto from Japan and Pedro Penim from Portugal's D. Maria II National Theatre.

In addition to the 15 productions, the weeklong event, which runs until Saturday, will also feature several forums with keynote speeches focusing on a diverse range of topics.

Taiwan Week is taking place at five different venues across Taipei and New Taipei, including the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center and the National Human Rights Museum.