[Epoch Times May 24, 2024](Reported by Epoch Times reporter Li Mei in Orange County) On May 21, Formosa Circus Art from Taiwan performed a wonderful show “Songs of Lands” at the Chapman University Memorial Hall in Orange County, showcasing Taiwan’s history and culture. This was the third event in the Orange County Taiwan Heritage Week series.
On May 22, 2024, during the Orange County Taiwan Heritage Week, Formosa Circus Art from Taiwan performed “Songs of Lands” at Chapman University. The picture shows Lu Yaoxun, convener of the Orange County Heritage Week Organizing Committee. (Li Mei/The Epoch Times)
Lu Yaoxun, convener of the Orange County Traditional Week Organizing Committee, said that since the establishment of the Orange County Overseas Chinese Center, Taiwan Traditional Week activities have been held every year, “giving people the opportunity to reminisce about Taiwan’s culture and understand Taiwan; and lectures on dentistry and elderly care are also very popular among Taiwanese Americans.” This year’s Traditional Week will have a total of 6 activities, followed by a Taiwanese classic music appreciation meeting, a Tainan photography exhibition, and a “Taiwan Day” Major League Baseball game to be held at the Anaheim Angel Stadium.
The story of “Song of the Land”
Lin Zhiwei, the director of the circus, said that the troupe has been established for 14 years and has visited hundreds of cities in nearly 30 countries. “This is my first time to perform in Orange County. I am very happy to meet you all,” he said. “We are not performing traditional acrobatics. It is a contemporary circus, like a text about Taiwan’s history and culture, so that everyone can read, feel or associate with their relatives in Taiwan and what happened.”
On May 22, 2024, during the Orange County Taiwan Heritage Week, Lin Zhiwei, the head of Formosa Circus Art from Taiwan, performed outside the theater at Chapman University. (Li Mei/The Epoch Times) On May 22, 2024, during the Orange County Taiwan Heritage Week, the audience came to the Chapman University Memorial Hall to watch the performance of Formosa Circus Art from Taiwan. (Li Mei/The Epoch Times)
In 2018, Lin Zhiwei led a group of members with an average age of less than 25 to tour the United States. This time, they are visiting the United States again. During the three years of the epidemic, the circus could hardly survive and borrowed thousands of Taiwan dollars. “Thanks to the support and donations from overseas Chinese in the United States, we have been able to survive the difficulties.” Lin Zhiwei said, “Thanks to the Taiwan government for believing in us young people and giving us opportunities, so this tour is our journey of gratitude and dreams.”
Regarding the “Song of the Land” program, Lin Zhiwei said: “We found a storyteller who runs through the four parts of ‘Seeing Taiwan’, ‘Taiwan Giant’, ‘Turning Taiwan over’ and ‘Embrace Taiwan’; we selected classic songs that can resonate with the three generations of people; and we showed some important events that took place in Taiwan, such as the Hongye Little League Team, the Taipei 101 Building and the 921 earthquake, and then used body art, music and background fusion to express these stories.”
“We hope that Taiwanese people can resonate with these; that music and songs can impress overseas Chinese. We are not pure acrobatics but a comprehensive art form.” Lin Zhiwei introduced that the first part used the folk songs of Taiwan’s indigenous people to unveil the veil, and then people moved to Taiwan and integrated with each other; the second part mentioned the Hongye Little League Team, whose victory set off a craze for Taiwanese youth baseball.
In August 1968, the youth baseball team of Hongye Elementary School in Yanping Township, Taitung defeated the Little League star team from Kansai, Japan with a huge score of 7:0. This victory led to the establishment of the Golden Dragon Little League Team in Taiwan, and the team came to the United States the following year to participate in the Little League World Series held in Pennsylvania.
“The third part is that although Taiwan is small, it also plays an important role. For example, during the COVID period, Taiwan provided masks and protective equipment to many countries, as well as Taiwan’s high-tech technology and products.” Lin Zhiwei said, “In the atmosphere of freedom and democracy in Taiwan, we also have great openness in art.”
When Lin Zhiwei was 12 years old, he experienced the 921 earthquake. His family was one of the victims and lived in a tent for about half a year. He said: “Every time there is a disaster, Taiwanese people hold hands and get through it. We used a glowing diabolo to represent hope, so that people can feel the warmth and power of unity.”
The Chinese and Western audiences responded enthusiastically
The performance of the Formosa Circus attracted many Taiwanese and Western audiences, and the audience applauded continuously. Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioner Zhang Huiling praised: “Today’s performance is more exciting than six years ago. The overall creativity and content are very representative of Taiwan.”
On May 22, 2024, during the Orange County Taiwan Heritage Week, the audience took a group photo after watching the performance of Formosa Circus Art from Taiwan. (Li Mei/The Epoch Times) On May 22, 2024, during the Orange County Taiwan Heritage Week, Formosa Circus Art from Taiwan performed “Songs of Lands” at Chapman University. The picture shows the youth baseball team. (Li Mei/The Epoch Times)
Jian Mian, former president of the Taiwan Association of Gan County, said, “They (the actors) had very good interaction with the audience. Everyone sang along with the actors and could resonate with each other. The actors also walked off the stage holding lanterns and came into the audience.” The audience also turned on their cell phone lights, which were like stars in the dark.
Several Western friends came together. Sue said: “The show is great, they are very talented, they must have started practicing since they were born.” Joanne liked the physical ability and strength shown by the actors; Carol was amazed that an actor could stand upside down and keep his balance on five stacked chairs.
Another group of Western audiences also enjoyed the performance. Michelle Sett said, “The performance made me want to know more about Taiwan. I like the rotating cube and the big hula hoop, and the diabolo is so beautiful – those lights that are not tied to ropes but are used to make them fly.” Christie Lingle liked the chair performance and the baseball team; Michelle Houk liked the lanterns the most, “It reminded me of the Lantern Festival in Taiwan.” Vicky and Clara Ferguson said that the performance was impressive, “We like everything they said.” ◇
Editor in charge: Jialian
2024-05-23 22:52:52
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