Fairy Step Dance Company from Taiwan will perform during the Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival at the Tokyo Dome Feb. 15, according to ROC Ministry of Culture.
The fact that the youth dance troupe is scheduled to perform on the first day of the festival is testament to the emphasis the event organizer places on Taiwan, the MOC said.
Running Feb. 15-23, the festival is the world’s biggest orchid show, drawing more than 20,000 visitors daily.
According to the ministry, the theme of the company’s performance will be Taiwan folk culture. Before the group takes the stage, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan has arranged for mascot Taiwander to perform a dance routine and promote the beauty of Taiwan culture.
Taiwander is designed by Tokyo-based Cheer for Taiwan to express gratitude for the country’s enthusiastic assistance for Japan following the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that struck the East Asian nation, the MOC said, adding that the organization also arranged for a Japanese song writer to compose an accompanying folk song for the event.
The dance performance and mascot are part of the Taiwan Cultural Spotlight program sponsored by Taiwan entrepreneur Samuel Yin, chairman of Taipei City-based Ruentex Group, the MOC said. The business leader donated US$4 million last year in support of its plan to promote culture abroad.
TECRO also plans to organize various events promoting Taiwan’s cultural heritage in Japan. This involves such organizations as Tokyo University of the Arts, Aichi University and the Yomiuri NTV Culture Center, according to the MOC. (DF-JSM)
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