Emily

History 2017 KANPAI, JAPAN! After a successful Tango with Hong Kong, TAIWANfest set its sights on presenting a Dialogue with Japan. TCAT worked hard to engage the local Japanese community and enrich the programming with local musicians, artisans, and organizations. The festive staple of toasting is ubiquitous and nearly every culture has its own variation on … Read more

History 2016 A CULTURAL TANGO WITH HONG KONG With the support of our co-producers, Harbourfront Centre, TCAT along with ACSEA launched the Dialogue with Asia Series in 2016: a five year plan to feature a different Asian culture each year at TAIWANfest. Through various artistic and intercultural exchange, each year is an opportunity for a … Read more

History 2015 What would be different for you today had some long distant ancestor made a different decision? What will be the impact on future generations of the choices you make today? In 2015 TAIWANfest explored this complex idea, reminding us all that even inaction will cause ripples across the fabric of time and space. … Read more

History 2014 TAIWANfest celebrates its 10th Anniversary! TCAT in collaboration with Harbourfront Centre and ACSEA welcome back this summer staple. This year, the festival used the flower Myosotis, a non-Taiwan native plant, to show the foreign influences on the island and to set the stage for a vibrant, colourful and ever-evolving culture today. Like Myosotis, … Read more

History 2013 Culture is the acronym for the lifestyles in a civilization; it is beyond just stories of the past and the customs of the ancestors. The wisdom found beneath a culture truly embodies the foundation of the future and constantly steers the formation of a new culture. While earth’s global ocean is the largest … Read more

History 2012 Culture is the acronym for the lifestyles in a civilization; it is beyond just stories of the past and the customs of the ancestors. The wisdom found beneath a culture truly embodies the foundation of the future and constantly steers the formation of a new culture. While earth’s global ocean is the largest … Read more

History 2011 As an immigrant nation, Canada prides itself on values of diversity and benefits from our country’s cultural harmony. Taiwan, an island nation, has its share of stereotypes due to the complexity of its history. A hot spot of energy and connectivity, the influxes of various cultures have not only impacted the formation of … Read more

History 2010 In 2010, the world had their eyes on Canada; when TAIWANfest was called to take over the Winter Cultural Olympiad, Taiwanese-Canadians were ecstatic. This is not a battle for the dignity of the city, province or nationality, but the opportunity to “speak to the world” has truly touched us; embracing the “great dream” will never … Read more

History 2009 “A New Journey” was the theme for 2009 TELUS TAIWANfest. In its 5th year co-produced with the Harbourfront Centre, TCAT worked closely with ACSEA to  work on a new vision that expanded the artistic mandate, engaged diverse communities and committed to the environment for the festival’s present and the future. As one of … Read more

History 2008 Inspired by the multi-cultural aspects of Canada, the programming of 2008 TELUS TaiwanFest: World in an Island explored Taiwan’s ever-evolving identity through its many influences in history, such as the Dutch, Japanese, Canadian and Aboriginal, and how these influences have contributed to the development of the island. The festival showcased multifaceted and vibrant … Read more