Beginning Saturday, Taiwanese Arts Week will promote
intercultural understanding through a series of free events embracing various art
forms to celebrate Taiwan’s 100-year anniversary.

The week is titled “Bring the Tradition and Innovation of Taiwanese Arts to
Madison” and is organized by University of Wisconsin dance professor
Jin-Wen Yu and New York’s Taipei Cultural Center,
according to a UW news release.

UW grad student Ereck Jarvis said the week is a series of arts-related events
intended to bring awareness and experience with Taiwanese arts to both the UW
campus and Madison community.

“A lot of people know Taiwan by name but maybe haven’t considered its rich
cultural heritage. This is a chance to learn more through arts experience, both
through traditional art forms and more provocative art practice,” Jarvis said.

Yu agreed.

“This really is a wonderful opportunity to share Taiwanese arts and cultural
events with both the community and UW-Madison campus at large through music,
literature, puppet shows and photography,” he said.

Yu said he spent the majority of two years working on the event after stumbling
across a festival and conference in New York three years ago.

He said when he was first approached to coordinate the event, he saw it as a good
opportunity with excellent timing as it coincides with the 100-year anniversary of
the Republic of China.

Of the events scheduled, both Yu and Jarvis said they were excited for Saturday’s
puppet show performance “A Sea of Puppets” by the Taiyuan Puppet Theatre
Company at the Overture Center’s Rotunda Stage at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

“It’s really rare to see a live Taiwanese puppet performance outside of Taiwan itself.
As far as the performances go, the puppets are ornately dressed and are works of art
unto themselves,” Jarvis said.

Yu said that while the history of puppet culture derives from China, it has become
very popular culturally in Taiwan within the last 30-40 years. This gives it a long history, he said, and it integrates elements of the economy into
performances.

Jarvis said the performances will excite audiences while introducing a majority
of people to a new art form. He said martial arts are a large component of the
performances along with art through the use of costumes.

The puppet performances will be followed by a workshop and demonstration
Sunday morning.

Yu maintains the event should be of value to students as it gives them an
opportunity to be immersed in the culture of another country regardless of their
own culture or heritage.

“For students, there is a cultural and heritage based interest. The university also
emphasizes educated global citizenship. This is a rare opportunity to expose and
experience the culture and arts from other countries,” Yu said.

Other events include four movies, one documentary, dance performances by Yu, a
photography exhibition, lectures, music concerts and an evening of Taiwanese food.

A calendar can be found on the Taiwanese Association of Madison’s website.