Taipei City's Department of Cultural Affairs has organized more than 100 free cultural performances at municipal parks, schools and other locations to make art and culture more accessible for residents.
The series of performances — dubbed “Culture in the Alley” — started yesterday and runs until Dec. 5.
It features top cultural and performing arts groups from around the country, including Ming Hua Yuan, Lanyang Taiwanese Opera Company, Taipei Symphony Orchestra and Taipei Chinese Orchestra.
Chang Chun-tung (張俊桐), a section chief at the department's Taipei Cultural Center, said the event was aimed at promoting arts and culture to local communities by bringing the performances straight to them.
Rather than professional theaters and music halls, the performances will be held in schools such as Nangang Vocational High School, temples in Wanhua District (萬華) and various municipal parks.
Chang said there would be at least three performances at each of the 12 districts during the period, and the public could find various performances almost every weekend.
“Bringing arts and culture to local communities allows artists to have closer interaction with the audience, and more people will be able to appreciate different forms of art,” he said.
Lee Yong-ping (李永萍), commissioner of the department, said the event was a great opportunity for residents and foreign visitors to enjoy free yet high-quality performances at various locations.
The “Culture in the Alley” event was initiated in 1997 and has attracted more than 230,000 participants over the past 12 years, Chang said.
More information is available at the Taipei Cultural Center at (02) 2579-8896, or the center's Web site at www.tmseh.gov.tw/big5/inside.asp
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