Avignon: Four Taiwanese performing arts groups commenced a three-week performance streak at the 2026 Festival Off Avignon on Friday, captivating audiences during the festival's opening street parade. This year marks the 60th edition of the Festival Off Avignon and the 20th anniversary of Taiwan's participation at this internationally celebrated event.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Taiwanese productions showcased include "Trace of Belief" by Chun Dance, "8 -- Infinite Loop" by Kuo-shin Chuang Pangcah Dance Theater, "Lost Connection" by Seed Dance, and "The Rite of Spring" by Dashing Theater. During the parade, performers from around the globe, adorned in costumes, marched through the streets of Avignon, presenting snippets of their shows to festivalgoers, with Taiwanese troupes also staging brief performances along the parade route that drew enthusiastic crowds.
Taiwan's Ministry of Culture highlights that "Trace of Belief" delves into Hakka cultural memory and rituals through movement, offering audiences a ceremonial experience. "8 -- Infinite Loop" examines the Amis Indigenous people's male age-grade system, exploring themes of dance, social order, and collective identity. "Lost Connection" reflects on the modern digital age, using choreography to depict technology's impact on everyday life. In contrast, "The Rite of Spring" uses varied movement styles to explore cultural interactions and resistance.
Chen Hung-hsing, director of the Taiwan Cultural Center in Paris, emphasized the festival's importance in allowing Taiwanese artists to present their works to European audiences and forge connections within the international arts community. The 2026 Festival Off Avignon runs from July 4-25, featuring approximately 1,780 productions across more than 140 venues in Avignon.