In the summer of 2009, at the opening ceremony of the World Games in Kaohsiung, the appearance of the playful Electric-Techno Neon Gods instantly lit up the stadium and amazed both the live audience and viewers watching the broadcast. It was a vivid revelation of how temple-fair folk faith, when fused with modern dance, can be energetic, inventive, and irresistibly fun. This style of performance traces back to the Puzi Taizi Association in Chiayi. Since 2006, the group has paired electronic dance music with contemporary choreography, delivering high-energy routines that quickly won wide popularity. The embroidered “battle armor” worn by the Third Prince is closely tied to Puzi’s embroidery industry. In this way, the troupe’s signature dance not only reimagines traditional parade troupes, but also helps spotlight and uplift local craft and industry, each reinforcing the other. 

Today, Puzi Electric-Techno Neon Gods performs frequently at major festivals and cultural events across Taiwan. The troupe is also a national champion in Electric-Techno Neon Gods competitions, and is recognized as a pioneer of the genre’s signature “battle dance” style. With the mission of promoting and passing on folk performing arts, the troupe continues to integrate tradition with innovation. By enriching performance content, elevating production quality, and preserving the spirit of folk belief, they have developed a versatile repertoire that includes  Electric-Techno Neon Gods, dragon and lion dance, and other folk performance forms. Through these vibrant shows, the troupe aims to promote tourism in Taiwan and share the beauty of Taiwanese traditional folk arts with audiences at home and abroad.

Founded in 2017, Ngā Mauri Taniwha ki Uta is dedicated to providing young performers with a stage for continuous growth and artistic development. Rooted in Māori culture, the troupe carries forward cultural spirit through the performing arts, while fostering cross-cultural understanding and exchange. 

Its name means “the life force of the inland guardians,” symbolizing a deep bond with ancestral lands and the guiding strength of the tūpuna, the ancestors who lead the way. Bearing the mauri, the life energy of the people, the troupe shares the spirit, stories, and cultural inheritance of Aotearoa New Zealand with the world through the Māori performance tradition of kapa haka.

A major highlight takes the stage at the Chiayi Main Venue this year: a powerful cross-cultural epic, Austronesian Indigenous Dance, created in collaboration by a Māori cultural performance troupe from New Zealand and Chiayi’s own  Alishan Tsou Euvuvu Performing Arts Group. Guided by the spirit of “the ocean as our road, culture as our song, and bloodlines as our dance,” the performance brings together traditional dance, ritual rhythms, ancient chants, and ringing calls to reveal shared memories and human ties that stretch across the Pacific. 

The program fuses the electrifying force of the Māori haka with the far-reaching soul of Tsou Euvuvu (bullroarer). Ritual movement and chant are woven into a tide-like exchange of rhythms—echoes of a culture carried on waves for centuries, like a living soundscape of seafaring heritage. More than an artistic encounter, this production reflects a deep dialogue across nations and tribes within the Austronesian world. It is a celebration of a shared cultural community, and a bold statement of Austronesian cultures stepping onto the global stage. 

Chiayi has long been a cultural axis linking mountains and sea, bearing the brilliance of Austronesian civilization. Through Austronesian Indigenous Dance, Chiayi opens an international horizon, drawing the world’s attention to witness the city’s profound heritage and boundless cultural energy as a “Beacon of Austronesian Culture.” This is not only a performance. It is cultural renewal and the passing on of pride, a key moment for the world to hear Chiayi, and for Chiayi to embrace the world.

Fanjie Dance Theatre is a Tsou contemporary dance-theatre company from Alishan. Its works have long been led and created by Pasuya Tiakiana, an artist dedicated to performing arts creation. Each year, the company presents a finely crafted cultural dance drama that has earned consistently strong acclaim from audiences. In 2025, in response to the evolving nature and development needs of performing arts, the company adopted the new name “Fanjie Dance Theatre” to further expand its creative vision. Founded with a clear mission, the company seeks to move beyond the conventional “tourist-oriented song-and-dance” format once commonly seen in tribal settings. Instead, it draws on Tsou mythology, legends, and history as dramatic source material, transforming cultural inheritance into dance-theatre aesthetics, thereby preserving deeper meanings and affirming the value of cultural continuity. 

The name “Fanjie” stems from a reflective re-examination of the term “fan” (historically used for Indigenous peoples, especially around the Japanese colonial period) and what it implied within the lived realities of that era. Looking at the innovative development of Indigenous performing arts today, many creators share a common thread: returning to and re-engaging with ancient music, traditional melodies, ritual practices, and ceremonial dances as the foundation of new work. These very sources are also among the most truthful reflections of Indigenous life during the historical periods when the term “fan” was in use. While the term carries discriminatory connotations in contemporary contexts, the company also invites another layer of reflection: that it can point, in a different sense, to an unfiltered historical backdrop of Indigenous life and culture. 

Fanjie’s creative imagery is built on the meeting of the modern and the traditional, positioning its works along a conceptual “boundary.” Through this approach, the company transforms the dry language of historical records into living, dynamic dance theatre—work that can even become a vivid, sensory medium of cultural learning and inheritance for the next generation.

Juan comes from a musical family in Bolivia. Through a serendipitous opportunity, he was invited to Taiwan to serve as a cultural music ambassador. Falling in love with Taiwanese culture, he forged a lasting bond with the island, eventually settling here, becoming a proud “Taiwanese son-in-law,” and calling Taiwan home for over a decade. During his time in Taiwan, Juan’s lifelong musical training quickly caught the attention of local record producers. He has been invited on multiple occasions to take part in arrangement and production work for recording artists. Yet even as his professional collaborations grew, he remained devoted to creating his own music and mentoring younger musicians. This passion led to the formation of the widely admired J. Andes Group. Drawing on their expertise and lived musical heritage, the group helps bring Latin American music to broader audiences, sharing its warmth and spirit. With J. Andes Group, listeners are invited to experience the passion, vitality, romance, and mystery of South America—and to journey, note by note, through the musical landscapes of Latin America.

Hunting Red Band is an original Tsou rock band made up of young Tsou musicians from multiple villages across Alishan, Chiayi. United by a love of music and Indigenous culture, the group brings tribal stories to the stage with bold, contemporary energy. The name “Hunting Red” carries layered meaning: “Hunting” evokes the hunter of the mountains, while “Red” draws from the color red, a symbol of honor and courage worn by Tsou warriors. This spirit extends to their stage presence, where members often perform in red jackets, visually embodying the identity of hunters and warriors. Musically, Hunting Red is rooted in a rock band setup, blending Tsou-language and Chinese lyrics. Their songwriting draws from tribal myth, forest memory, hunting-ground traditions, and everyday life in the community. Through driving arrangements and high-intensity vocals, they give traditional narratives a new voice that today’s audiences can feel and remember. Songs such as “Hunting” center on hunting taboos, rules of the hunting grounds, and the symbolic imagery of divination birds, transforming tribal social codes and mountain ethics into rock music that feels vivid and cinematic. Active on stages across Taiwan and at tribal cultural events, Lihong has performed at programs such as “Tsou! Down the Mountain!” (a joint concert featuring three Tsou bands), the Alishan Muni Music Festival, events at the Tsou Veoveoana Cultural and Creative Park, activities hosted by the Central Taiwan Tourism Alliance, as well as Chiayi County themed markets and Indigenous rock showcases at science education venues. Their live shows are often described as a mini harvest festival packed with pulsing rhythms, chants, and sing-alongs that ignite the crowd.

This program brings together Hunting Red Band, from the Tsou community in Alishan, and the soul-stirring j.Andes Group from the Americas in a cross-indigenous collaboration titled Indigenous Rhythms of the Tsou. Built around the guiding idea of “sound as the path, rhythm as the pulse, resonance as the root,” the performance weaves Tsou traditional melodies with driving beats to trace cultural lines across peoples and places. It echoes a deeper connection: Austronesian heritage and Indigenous civilizations around the world sharing kindred origins, and finding one another through sound. This co-performance is not only a musical collaboration, but also a ritual-like journey of cultural return and a symbol of international exchange. With sound as a bridge and rhythm as a banner, it carries Chiayi’s cultural confidence to the world and speaks to the spiritual source of Austronesian civilization.

Founded on October 14, 2023, Ying Meng Cheng Dance Troupe is an arts organization centered on dance promotion, talent development, and stage performance. With a mission to cultivate dancers through structured training and professional coaching, the group focuses on building solid technical foundations, artistic literacy, and confident stage presence, while also encouraging broader exchange and growth for dance within the community. 

Balancing technique with artistic depth, the training program includes physical development, dance skills, rhythm training, and performance practice. Members are encouraged to bring their individual character into creation and performance, strengthening the group’s overall artistic quality. Through regular rehearsals, showcases, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, the group steadily accumulates real-world experience and develops dance talent grounded in professionalism, discipline, and teamwork.

A cross-cultural collaboration between “Taiwan’s Oboe Prince” Casper Tsai and the AMIGO Latin Band, this program draws on the distinctive musical magic of Central and South America. From simple, wistful melodies to wildly festive celebration music, it blends the flavors of Latin America and Spain and invites audiences to listen closely for primal sonorities and exotic romance. Carried by the oboe’s bright, buoyant lines, set against drums and the sparkling strum of the ukulele, the performance lifts off into a passionate, ever-changing musical feast across the vast soundscape of Central and South America.

Founded in 2005 and based in Xingang, Chiayi, SIBONGIE was formed by bandleader Chi-Hung Chiang, who brought together a group of musicians passionate about West African culture and percussion. In its early years, the band focused on the most authentic West African drum-and-dance traditions, performing with instruments such as the djembe, dundun drums, balafon, kora, and African flutes. Over time, SIBONGIE developed a distinctive sound with a “Taiwan × Africa” mixed-blood character, blending vibrant African rhythms with Taiwanese sensibilities. 

Dedicated to promoting West African drumming culture across Taiwan, the band was recommended by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2012 and 2014 as the country’s designated African drumming representative troupe. SIBONGIE’s original works stay rooted in the cultural lineage of the Mandé tradition, while weaving in Taiwanese Hokkien lyrics and everyday Taiwanese experience. Using the language of world music to create local stories, their songs capture the daily life, reflections, and land-bound emotions of southern Taiwan. 

In 2016, the band released its debut album, Things Those Africans Taught Me, pairing West African rhythms with Mandarin and Taiwanese songs. The album earned a nomination at the 27th Golden Melody Awards for Best Vocal Group, and received multiple nominations at the 7th Golden Indie Music Awards, including Best New Artist, Best Crossover Album, and Best Crossover Single. Their 2020 all–Taiwanese Hokkien album, Barefoot Gentleman, was again nominated at the 32nd Golden Melody Awards for Best Taiwanese Album and Album of the Year, cementing SIBONGIE as a defining voice in Taiwan’s world music and Taiwanese-language songwriting scene. Their latest release, Sang Sang Sang, continues to build on traditional African rhythms while blending Eastern and Western instruments with Taiwanese Hokkien songwriting—showcasing an even more mature and fully realized “Taiwan–Africa fusion” sound.

Led by Japan’s Huis Ten Bosch Tenko and Chiayi’s own SIBONGIE, this co-creation, “East Meets West in Rhythm,” puts drums at the heart of the story. Thunderous taiko power meets the earthy pulse of African drums, unfolding a high-impact dialogue across nations, genres, and cultures—where differences collide, resonate, and ultimately fuse into one exhilarating soundscape. 

More than a festival stage, Chiayi County shines here as a hub for global cultural exchange. As rhythms crisscross and cultures dance in sync, the city is lit by tempo and carried by percussion—captivating international audiences and revealing the vibrant energy and charm of Chiayi’s multicultural convergence.

Founded in 1987, the troupe was long known as “Daidaidadan Tenko”, earning wide acclaim for its distinctive concerts featuring more than 40 taiko drums of varying sizes, alongside the Tsugaru shamisen and shinobue flute. 

To date, the group has presented over 1,400 performances in Japan and around the world, including appearances across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Russia. In 2019, the troupe relocated to Nagasaki and adopted the name “Huis Ten Bosch Tenko,” with the ambition of creating world-class entertainment that spans multiple genres, including live performance, musical theatre, drama, and classical arts, while also expanding its activities further. The group received the Encouragement Award at the Osaka Cultural Festival in 2011, and won the Osaka Fringe Festival Grand Prize in 2018.

MRG Circus is a troupe of professional performers who were originally invited to Taiwan in recent years for shows at major theme parks. Falling in love with the island, they chose to stay and make Taiwan their home. Bringing expertise in aerial acts, acrobatics, gymnastics, stunts, dance, and clown mime, many members have toured extensively across Europe and Asia, with appearances including the Aichi Expo in Japan, the Carnival of Venice, and touring performances at Germany’s Oktoberfest. Some have also earned honors at French circus competitions. Most members are in their 20s to 30s, and every performer is a true master of their craft.

From the driving rhythms of Korea’s traditional samul nori to the street parade energy of Western-style marching performances, Strike Light Percussion Ensemble from Korea fuses multiple percussion languages into one high-impact show. Blending contemporary percussion elements with modern tech, the group features LED drums and dazzling light effects, while also drawing on the performance style of STOMP-inspired eco-percussion and “Nanta”-style physical theater. The production further expands into laser light artistry and street-dance crossover segments, helping the ensemble stand out as one of Korea’s best-known percussion groups. They are frequently invited to perform at major arts and music festivals across Korea, appear in television interviews and special performances, and tour internationally in countries including China and the United States. With every show, the ensemble brings the beauty of tradition and modern percussion into one electrifying experience.

Supported as a signature arts initiative by the Chiayi County Government, the Chiayi County Street Dance Training Team has been cultivating a new generation of stage talent since 2021. Each year, students across the county are specially selected for their potential and passion, coming together to form Chiayi’s rising youth force in performance. Guided by a professional instructors, the team trains through a structured curriculum built on three distinct street-dance styles. From groove and musicality to choreography and stage presence, the program develops dancers in full, shaping street dance into more than movement. It becomes a vessel for culture and emotion. 

For this year’s performance, the creative concept is “culture as the frame, the land as the soul, and the Lantern Festival as the scene.” The piece artfully weaves together Chiayi’s local character, city landscapes, and imagery drawn from the Taiwan Lantern Festival, creating choreography that carries both youthful burst and deep-rooted affection for the land. Through physical storytelling, the dancers sketch the beauty of Chiayi, trace the city’s pulse with rhythm, and speak to hometown memory and the strength of cultural inclusiveness. The result is a vivid meeting of diverse influences and a fearless, innovative spirit. 

This performance is not only a showcase of training achievements, but also a street-dance statement from Chiayi. It invites the world to see how Chiayi’s youth write with movement, telling a one-of-a-kind street-dance story that shines onstage, lights up the city, and ignites pride and resonance in every audience member.

Backed as a flagship initiative by Chiayi County, the Chiayi County Street Dance Training Team takes the stage with driving beats and urban groove at its core. Channeling the speed, explosiveness, and kinetic power of youth, the dancers demonstrate razor-sharp control of body and rhythm, speaking the bold language of street dance: free, fearless, and charged with energy. Titled “Street Dance Circus,” the show breaks past familiar boundaries to merge street-dance flow with circus acrobatics and tech-powered light and shadow, creating a stage experience unlike anything before. 

Dancers and circus performers trade momentum in rhythmic relay, as flips and aerial skills weave in and out of grounded footwork. With projection and dynamic lighting, the scene feels like star-trails in motion, sketching the pulse of the city across the night. More than a showcase of technique and tempo, this performance is a cultural statement. It captures the spirit of Chiayi’s arts scene as young, daring, inventive, and ready to push further. 

As the night ignites under the Year of the Horse theme, the crowd’s heartbeat and the stage’s rhythm rise together, setting southern Taiwan’s skies alight and inviting the world to witness Chiayi leap forward through rhythm and creativity, toward the international stage.

INFERNO Fire Dance Troupe joins forces with the acclaimed Hsinchu City Wind Orchestra and the folk-arts troupe Xiluo Fengshan Hall, winner of the 2025 Neimen Song Jiang Battle Ritual, to stage a spectacular cross-genre collaboration. Weaving together tradition and modernity, the production fuses fire dance and lighting technology with symphonic wind music and folk battle arrays. Through the innovative work Blazing Prayer, the performance offers blessings and applause for the “City of the Sun.” 

Built around four core motifs, Fire (prayer), Formation (protection), Music (blessing), and Light (hope), the program unfolds as a two-part suite. 

Part I: Kindling a Thousand Wishes, Guarding the Homeland

In this opening movement, fire becomes the source of prayer, and the array becomes the force of protection. Fire dance ignites the prologue, symbolizing heartfelt wishes awakening in the flames. Then, one after another, the Songjiang battle formation, lion formation, and Qikan martial arts take the stage, using the steps and spirit of traditional formations to build a protective force that safeguards home and embodies the faith of ordinary people. As firelight casts its glow over martial power, the performance reveals the strength and beauty of age-old skills, gathering the energy of the land. This movement opens the night with a blessing: to kindle collective wishes and protect the earth. 

Part II: Light Across the Land, Blossoms in Full Bloom

Carrying forward the prayer and protection of the first movement, this second part unfolds the chapters of music and light, led jointly by fire dance, symphonic winds, and technology-driven light dance. The wind orchestra lays out a grand sonic landscape of blessing. Fire dance signals the continued momentum of devotion, while the light dance transforms prayer into radiant flowers of light that bloom across the ground, symbolizing hope unfolding over the land. Light, fire, and music converge into a festival of blessing, conjuring a scene of blossoms bursting open and all things thriving. The suite closes with “light across the land,” a promise of renewal, harmony, and a flourishing future.

Blending modern drone technology and LED elements with the traditional folk arts of lion dance and battle drums, this cross-genre production reinterprets heritage as a bold, contemporary visual spectacle. In the performance, drone formations sweep across the sky amid layered light art. Drumbeats become the pulse of the city, the luminous lion dance stands as a symbol of culture, and the drones trace technological constellations overhead, creating a grand scene where heaven and earth perform together. 

This program reflects Chiayi’s spirit, led by technology and grounded in culture. Here, tradition is no longer only a memory, it becomes a living language of the future. Through shifting light and shadow, the show projects the city’s confidence and its drive to innovate, tuning local identity to the rhythm of global trends. 

As the night sky ignites, audiences look up to witness Chiayi resonating in step with the world, and to see a new chapter take shape, written with drums, dance, and technology, and shining on the international stage.

Rooted in traditional folk-performance troupes, the Technicolor LED Dragon and Lion Drum Show fuses dragon-and-lion dance and thunderous battle drums with modern LED visuals, opening up a bold new stage where heritage and technology meet. As the drums hit, LED light pulses in sync. The dragon and lion whirl under shifting beams like the city’s lantern-lit nightscape, and time-honored formations and rhythms are reignited through contemporary tech, delivering a spectacle that feels both classic and cutting-edge. 

The battle drums embody strength and unity, the dragon and lion symbolize auspicious blessings and cultural continuity, and LED becomes the language of innovation and the future. Together, they create more than a technical mash-up, they form a shared cultural resonance, reimagined in a new light. Breaking past conventional performance frameworks, the show levels up intensity, visual artistry, and rhythmic drive all at once, pushing the spirit of folk performance to new heights. 

In a blaze of light and rolling drums, audiences are invited into a thrilling moment where tradition and technology leap forward together.

The French circus company Remue Ménage creates a dreamlike, poetic world of light for audiences of all ages. Blending circus arts with dance, music, masks, and puppetry, they draw on natural materials as a key creative language, offering an experience that is as richly sensory as it is spiritually stirring. 
    At the heart of their work is striking visual storytelling. Through imaginative characters and ingenious mechanical structures, they build distinctive urban tableaux with a signature style. Each performance unfolds like a moving city mural, brought to life through original choreography and highly recognizable illuminated costumes that showcase the performers’ versatility and craft. 
Drawing on years of deep experience in street arts, Remue Ménage keeps its creativity alive through ever-evolving works, sparking curiosity and awe in urban spaces and creating artistic experiences that audiences won’t forget.

Founded in 2009, the Chiayi County Xianghe Folk Dance Association was brought together by Executive Director Teacher Huang Pi-Chen, uniting folk dance enthusiasts from townships across Chiayi County. For years, the association has been dedicated to promoting multicultural dance, celebrating the passion and vitality of a life in motion. 

This program brings together association members, students from Ms. Huang’s multicultural dance classes at Yimi Community College, and the Beauty of Dongshih Dance Music Band, with a special cross-county guest appearance by Tainan’s Yangxin Music & Dance International Folk Dance Society. Tonight, let the dance steps carry us as we travel the world together.

Musou Band is Taiwan’s first all-female crossover Chinese music ensemble, founded in December 2008. Established and led by composer Liu Hsueh-Hsuan, the ensemble’s Artistic Director is erhu virtuoso Mia Wang, whose album Mia Wang Jazz Erhu Album won the Golden Melody Award for Best Crossover Music Album. The members are primarily drawn from Chinese music departments at universities across Taiwan. Since 2008, Musou Band has evolved through ten generations of performers, known for their poised stage presence and elegant, model-like ensemble image. A frequent highlight at commercial events and festivals, the group features a dynamic lineup that may include dizi, erhu, liuqin, yangqin, zhongruan, and guzheng, alongside dancers and vocalists. Their signature style blends Chinese instrumental music with singing and dance, creating a vibrant crossover sound. The name “Musou” comes from Emperor Qianlong’s praise for rare treasures, “unmatched under heaven, scarcely seen through the ages.” That spirit of one-of-a-kind timbre and instrumentation lies at the heart of the ensemble. Rich in imagination and storytelling, their repertoire shifts at times into a sweeping tapestry of timeless love, longing, and legend, while also revealing the elegance of a fashion-forward, new-classical aesthetic. Blending crossover Chinese music with song and dance, Musou Band presents a stage spectacle that is both lavish and finely crafted.

TPE48 is the official overseas sister group of AKB48, Japan’s groundbreaking all-around female idol group, with Taipei as its main base of activities. ★ Guided by the concept of “idols you can meet,” TPE48 radiates energy and an unbounded youthful spirit, with members who shine in a wide range of styles and possibilities. ★ Their music leans toward uplifting, motivational pop that celebrates chasing dreams together with fans. ★ With a trendy, unstoppable momentum, the group quickly becomes a buzzworthy presence online.
★ TPE48 has joined AKB48 Asia Festival events in cities including Bangkok and Shanghai, performing alongside AKB48 and fellow sister groups. ★ On October 19, they made their first appearance at the Taipei Arena as special guests at an AKB48 concert.
★ Within their first year, they released three physical singles and one digital single, topping sales charts. To date, they have released ten singles, with cumulative sales exceeding 100,000 copies.

Hui Chu Wang is an independent singer-songwriter from Chiayi. Known for her intimate guitar-driven sound and sincere, softly luminous voice, she has a gift for reaching listeners at their most tender depths. Rooted in folk and indie pop, her songwriting moves between subtle restraint and playful wit. Just when you think she is all poetic sensitivity, she will catch you off guard with a perfectly timed deadpan joke. 

Wang made her debut in 2012 with “The More Beautiful, the More Dangerous,” an insert song for the film Girlfriend, Boyfriend. Her first full-length album, A Voyage Of Vera (2014), earned her a nomination for Best New Artist at the 26th Golden Melody Awards. In 2020, her EP Dear Sappy was nominated for Best EP of the Year at Singapore’s 14th Freshmusic Awards. Her second album, FAC:E (2021), was shortlisted for the Freshmusic Awards’ Top 10 Albums of the Year, and also received nominations for Best Female Singer and Best Breakthrough, while Wang herself was nominated for Best Album Producer at the 33rd Golden Melody Awards. 

Marking her 10th anniversary as an artist in 2022, Wang held her first major solo concert at Legacy Taipei, and later competed in StreetVoice’s The Next Big Thing, reaching the final four in popularity voting. In 2024, drawing on the textures and realizations of her thirties and writing primarily in her mother tongue, she released her first Taiwanese-language album, Drip Drop. The record earned four nominations at the 36th Golden Melody Awards: Best Composer, Best Taiwanese Female Singer, Best Taiwanese Album, and Album of the Year, receiving wide acclaim.

Liu Shao-Hsi & Kids of Rocks was founded by Liu Shao-Hsi, a four-time Golden Melody Awards winner and Golden Bell Awards radio host. Dedicated to modernizing Hakka music, Liu injects contemporary elements such as rock and electronic sounds into traditional nursery rhymes, overturning the rigid, didactic image often associated with Hakka-language children’s songs. With upbeat grooves and modern styles, the project helps children learn their mother tongue through pure enjoyment. The Kids of Rock album has since become a key force in the transformation and continuing legacy of Hakka children’s music in Taiwan.

iColor blends flexible, contemporary arrangements with boundary-crossing fusions of pop and traditional elements, carrying forward the spirit of modern Hakka culture. In the world of mother-tongue pop, the band has released a string of accessible, widely loved songs. Most notably, “Passing Through” was written by lead vocalist Chiu Lien-Chin (A KIM). Sung and shared across generations, the song has been widely promoted and reinterpreted in many forms, and has even been performed by multiple Taiwanese choirs on international stages. Today, it is widely regarded as a signature anthem of Hakka pop. Over more than a decade together, iColor has released several Hakka-language albums, including Beautiful, Return & Restore, and Hakka Found in Strange Land, each praised by juries and critics alike. The group has also earned multiple Golden Melody Award nominations, including Best Hakka Album and Best Hakka Singer. 

iColor has additionally received top honors at the Taiwanese Original Pop Music Awards, along with recognition for Best Live Performance. Frequently commissioned to create theme songs for events of all sizes, including high-energy sports competitions, the band is known for writing music that resonates deeply while capturing the heart of each occasion. In 2023, iColor entered a new chapter, shifting into a four-member lineup and pushing its songwriting beyond the boundaries of language. Every upgrade is a form of preparation, reflecting how the band continues to evolve with each era through sound and performance. 

A postmodern rock soul that transcends language, iColor invites you to feel the breath within the music. Hey, I am Still Alive.

A one-of-a-kind force in the Mandarin rock scene, Zenkwun coined its own brand of “spirit medium rock,” weaving together folk belief and ritual culture with Buddhist and Taoist imagery, Nanguan and Beiguan traditions, Hakka lyrics, and even Mongolian throat singing. Formed in 2006, the band quickly won the Jury Prize at the Ho-Hai-Yan Rock Festival. In 2009, Zenkwun took the Taiwan championship at the YAMAHA Popular Music Competition, and released its debut album Wan Fo Chao Zong, earning wide acclaim and nominations at the 1st Golden Indie Music Awards for Best Band and Best New Artist/Group. In 2012, their Hakka-language track Highway No. 9 was nominated for Best Rock Single at the 3rd Golden Indie Music Awards, followed by the release of their experimental second album Zenkwun Electified later that year. Their 2019 digital album Existing Like God  was selected as one of the Top 10 Albums of 2019 by the Association of Chinese Music Professionals, and received dual nominations at the 12th Mandarin Music Awards for Band of the Year and Rock Artist of the Year. The band was also nominated for Best Band at the 31st Golden Melody Awards (2020). In 2023, Zenkwun was invited to perform at the 34th Golden Melody Awards, and in 2024 appeared on ETtoday’s band-variety program Band Band Band, drawing strong reviews from audiences and online fans alike.

Bringing a youthful rock vocabulary to the stage, Zenkwun joins forces withBudai Neitian Qinghe Beiguan Ensemble, a Chiayi County cultural heritage preservation group, for a cross-generational collaboration. 

Two musical languages that seem worlds apart meet with openness and curiosity, absorbing one another, colliding, and transforming in the process. What emerges is a brand-new soundscape that carries the weight of classical tradition while pulsing with contemporary drive. More than a genre mash-up, this performance embodies Chiayi’s cultural spirit: honoring tradition while embracing diversity, welcoming different voices, and daring to innovate. Everyone is invited to feel the surprise and power of cultures woven together across time.

Korean nongak (samulnori) is a traditional folk music of the Korean Peninsula, rooted in agrarian rituals that once prayed for favorable weather and abundant harvests. Built around four core percussion instruments, the small gong (kkwaenggwari), large gong (jing), hourglass drum (janggu), and barrel drum (buk), its soundscape symbolizes the forces of nature: thunder, wind, rain, and clouds. Together, they are heard as a sonic bridge between heaven, earth, and humankind. 

Over time, nongak has developed distinct regional styles, including Utdari nongak in the Seoul and Gyeonggi area, Honam nongak in Jeolla, and additional lineages across Yeongnam and Yeongdong. Designated as Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 11, it continues to be passed down across generations. 

In performance, dancers spin to the beat in sangmo hats with long ribbon streamers, and the show often features the high-skill mudongnori “shoulder-riding” dance. With its driving rhythms, acrobatic feats, and festive energy, Korean nongak delivers a pulse that is both exhilarating and unforgettable.

Led by teacher Chen Bei-Juan, the Budai Elementary School Taiko Team trains with discipline and performs with wholehearted enthusiasm, drumming out the confidence and rhythm that belong to these young players. With support from distinguished alumnus Chairman Lin Fu-Hsing, the Tzu-Liang Social Welfare and Charity Foundation, and funding from the Priority Education Area Program, the taiko program has been able to take root and grow over the long term. In recent years, the team has earned wide recognition, frequently invited to open major events, and achieving outstanding results in county music competitions as well as the Chiayi County and City “God of Wealth Cup” Taiko Competition. Through the beat of the drums, the team hopes children will build musical literacy, develop their strengths, and carry this power forward with courage into a wider future.

Formed in 2006, Tudi-Voice is a band that defends Taiwan’s rural communities and a sustainable relationship with the land through music. Rooted in Taiwanese-language folk and driven by the spirit of rock, their songs speak to the countryside, grassroots lives, and the hope of lasting stewardship, shaping a sound all their own: Taiwan-style rural folk rock. 

Using music to give voice to those living on the margins, the band has long stood for equality, justice, and freedom, fueled by deep passion and ideals for the land. They treat every performance as a journey, and every original song as a love letter to Taiwan. Carrying a steadfast love and faith in the land, they pour its fierce energy into their music and return it to the soil that raised them. Their melodies can surge with anger and intensity, then soften into tender, heartfelt confession. Whatever form they take, their music remains the most honest, grounded wisdom nurtured by this land.

JhenYueTang enshrines its principal deity, the "Boundless Supremacy of the Ancient Lord of Music,” an ancient god who governs all matters related to sound waves and vibration. Legend says that at the dawn of creation, when humankind first emerged, the Venerable descended in compassion to teach people how to use their bodies and everyday objects to create melody, harmony, and rhythm. From these beginnings, music took shape, enabling people to express emotion and becoming an essential part of life. In 2020, the Lord is said to have appeared in a dream to five musicians, revealing a vision of a world unsettled and anxious. The message called on them to build a temple, craft a sacred image, and make music in service of the people. With compassion at its core, the Lord’s wish is to “save as many as possible,” guiding followers toward a brighter path and the creation of boundless merit.

JhenYueTang joins forces with Chiayi’s iconic temple culture troupe, the Xuanxing Society Jiajiang & Divine Generals Troupe, to present a genre-blending production that fuses temple rock with the commanding presence of traditional divine generals. Built on the creative ethos of “culture as the backbone, rhythm as the soul, and the land as our name,” the show sets electric guitars and driving drumbeats in dialogue with the solemn, forceful footwork of Jiajiang and divine-generals performance. The result is a stage language that feels both high-voltage and deeply rooted in faith. 

More than a meeting of tradition and modernity, this program captures the spirit of Chiayi in full: temple culture as a symbol of collective strength, rock rhythms as the pulse of youth, and a city where agricultural vitality and industrial energy shine side by side. With divine generals standing guard and the music surging forward, the performance becomes a vivid expression of Chiayi’s heartbeat, bold in momentum, grounded in heritage, and never afraid to reinvent itself. It is a key moment that showcases Chiayi’s culture, agriculture, and creative industries to the world, all shining at once.

Formed in 2003, Skyline Jazz Band is one of the very few original acts in the Mandarin music scene dedicated to fusion jazz, and the only jazz band with more than two decades of history in this field. Over the past 20+ years, Skyline has been forged through major jazz festivals and live-house stages, steadily expanding its musical vocabulary from jazz into pop, funk, rock, Latin, R&B, soul, electronic, classical, and world music. By weaving in elements of Taiwanese local culture, the band has developed a distinctive fusion-jazz sound of its own. Staying true to a spirit of innovation, Skyline continues to explore new possibilities across genres and artistic disciplines. Skyline’s honors include an Independent Music Awards (IMAs) award at the 18th IMAs for Best Live Performance Album; Gold and Silver Awards from the Global Music Awards (GMA) in the categories of Instrumental, Band, and Fusion Jazz; and a nomination at the 18th IMAs for Best Jazz Album Producer. The band has also received Golden Melody Awards nominations for Best Producer (Instrumental) and Best Composer (Instrumental) at the 33rd Golden Melody Awards, and for Best Recording Album (Instrumental) at the 30th Golden Melody Awards; won Best Crossover Music Album at the 30th Golden Traditional Arts Awards; won Best Jazz Album at the 10th Golden Indie Music Awards; and won Best New Artist (Group) at the 5th Golden Indie Music Awards.

Founded in 2013, the MIT Saxophone Ensemble was brought together by Artistic Director Chen Guan-Wen, who gathered a new generation of musicians returning from studies in the United States, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Thailand, and beyond. Now one of Taiwan’s most active saxophone groups, MIT has also been repeatedly selected as an annual grant recipient by the National Culture and Arts Foundation (Taiwan Top). 

Known for its versatility, the ensemble performs across a wide spectrum of styles and tailors each program to suit the character of the concert. Its repertoire ranges from classical and jazz to Taiwanese folk melodies and contemporary works. Wherever it performs, MIT is met with enthusiastic acclaim, and the group has already presented more than 200 performances to date.

Guided by the spirit of “passing on the tradition, sharing with others, and deep local roots,” Xiang He Jazz Band has long devoted itself to nurturing the next generation. The ensemble openly shares its years of musical expertise and performance experience, believing that music is not only a skill to be learned, but also a powerful pathway to confidence, teamwork, and aesthetic sensibility. By offering free instruction, the group lowers barriers to entry so that anyone with a passion for music can take part. Committed to cultivating local arts talent and strengthening community cultural momentum, the band is steadily building a homegrown performing group and a platform for musical exchange. Looking ahead, it hopes to see more students step onto the stage, carry the artistic flame forward, and become key drivers of the city’s arts and culture development. 
    Its programs blend celebrated classics from both East and West with jazz-influenced repertoire, original arrangements, and reimagined folk songs. Crossing eras and cultural boundaries, the band brings music closer to everyday life, making each performance more narrative, more vivid, and more moving. The members come from diverse professional backgrounds, including school ensemble instructors, seasoned amateur musicians, and highly experienced nightclub performers with strong live-stage presence.

Bringing together Japan’s GARYU Alternative Taiko Unit and the Xiang He Jazz Band, this cross-genre collaboration centers on jazz, creating a shared stage where two cultural sound worlds meet. Jazz groove forms the backbone, while taiko rhythm becomes the pulse, blending international energies into a live performance rich in drive, depth, and dynamic contrast. 

Chiayi is widely celebrated as Taiwan’s “home of wind music,” with a strong legacy of band education and a deep-rooted musical culture that has become a source of civic pride. Building on a jazz foundation, this program expands the imagination of brass and wind music through rhythm-led momentum and exchange-driven creativity. It signals that Chiayi not only carries forward the classics, but also shapes the future through bold cross-disciplinary re-creation. 

Brass Meets Jazz is more than a crossover show. It is Chiayi’s cultural brand statement to the world. Through international collaboration and stylistic fusion, Chiayi’s city stage locks into the global beat, inviting audiences to ride the fiery rhythms and flowing melodies and feel the momentum of Chiayi’s “music in motion, sound on the global stage,” a resonant starting point for wind-music dialogue worldwide.

GARYU (我龍) is a wadaiko performance group founded in Hiroshima, Japan, in 2005. Dedicated to blending traditional Japanese taiko with contemporary percussion language, the ensemble has developed a distinctive style that transcends conventional musical categories. Across composition, materials, costume design, and diverse instrumental lineups, GARYU upholds a strong commitment to originality, delivering a bold, highly recognizable stage presence. 

Rooted in Hiroshima, the group’s work carries a message of peace for the world. They also hold a deep affection for Taiwan, and created Winds of Formosa inspired by Taiwan’s natural landscapes and the warmth of its people. Beyond performance, GARYU has long been involved in cultural initiatives and taiko donations, supporting the preservation and transmission of traditional arts.

Since its founding, the Puzi Junior High School Chinese Orchestra has been committed to building a strong foundation in Chinese music education, nurturing students’ artistic literacy as well as their confidence and presence onstage. The orchestra is formed by students from the school’s specialized arts program, guided by a teaching team of Chinese music instructors with professional performance training and extensive classroom experience. Through structured training and focused sectional coaching, students develop solid musicianship and learn to excel through ensemble collaboration. 

Each year, the orchestra takes part in major on-campus and community arts events, and has consistently earned outstanding results in music competitions and joint performances. Its repertoire spans traditional Chinese ensemble works, folk-inspired compositions, and contemporary pieces, showcasing a rich and versatile musical range. In recent years, the orchestra has also embraced more innovative stage presentation, integrating visuals, atmosphere, and storytelling to bring Chinese music closer to broader audiences and to energize arts and culture across both campus and the local community.

Founded in 1991, Chai Found Music Workshop has been an active force on music stages in Taiwan and around the world. In addition to performing traditional and Taiwanese music, the ensemble is also dedicated to modern repertoire. Their touring footprint spans cities across Taiwan, as well as Asia, Europe, and the Americas, earning them strong international recognition and acclaim. 

Across Chai Found’s body of work, whether in pure concert performance or cross-genre productions that incorporate theatrical elements, one principle remains constant: their creations are rooted in Taiwan’s traditional instrumental music. With tradition as the foundation, they extend their artistic reach into the contemporary, continually drawing from other disciplines to enrich their language, fuse diverse cultural influences, and expand the possibilities of their repertoire. 

Chai Found Music Workshop has also received the Ministry of Culture’s recognition as an Outstanding Performing Arts Group for multiple consecutive years, and was supported under the Ministry of Culture Performing Arts Groups Tiered Grant Program (2010–2018). The ensemble has published scores and released music albums as part of its ongoing mission to share and promote its musical vision.

Taizi Theatre Beauty Chinese Orchestra is an all-female ensemble of classically trained young musicians. Grounded in refined, rigorous traditional Chinese music, they weave in gongs and drums, Beiguan, and Peking Opera movement vocabulary to shape a highly recognizable sound and stage identity. Founded in 2015, the group has been a familiar presence across Taiwan’s major arts festivals, temple parades, and birthday celebrations for deities. From solemn ritual settings to carnival-style street processions, they move effortlessly between temple stages and open-air festival venues. The ensemble has also developed multiple formats and ceremonial lineups, including Women’s Luogu and Wind Ensemble, Women’s Santong Drums, and Women’s Waijiang Luogu, showcasing a performance style that balances power and grace. Onstage, their fresh, vibrant look and crisp formations pair with driving rhythms and finely etched melodies. In the glow of fireworks, processions, and lighting design, they reintroduce traditional Chinese music with a contemporary flair, bringing youthful, stylish performance energy to temple culture and festive ceremonies. They have become one of the most eye-catching all-female Chinese orchestras on Taiwan’s parade and temple festival circuit.

Japan’s GARYU Alternative Taiko Unit joins forces with Chiayi’s homegrown arts brand, Taizi Theatre Beauty Chinese Orchestra, to create a co-produced performance that crosses borders and genres. Thunderous taiko strikes meet the refined, lyrical colors of traditional Chinese instruments. Between rhythm, melody, and stage momentum, the music builds in layered waves, weaving together a rich narrative and shared emotional resonance. Here, traditional Chinese music becomes more than something you listen to. It turns into a stage language where visuals, pulse, and feeling move as one. 

This program reflects Chiayi’s deep-rooted cultural confidence and its ever-expanding horizon of international exchange. More than an artistic encounter, it is a cultural connection and a bold amplification of the city’s identity, witnessing Chiayi’s energy, openness, and forward-looking vision on the world stage.

Samadhi Tang’s puppetry is rooted in the tradition ofTaiwanese glove puppetry, yet it refuses to be boxed in by convention. Driven by a pure love of glove puppetry, the team builds its own figures, writes its own scripts, and performs its own works, gradually shaping a more nuanced puppetry language that speaks to contemporary audiences. This production spotlights “craft you can see” and “emotion you can feel.” Through razor-precise manipulation, richly layered physical detail, and subtle shifts in expression, audiences are invited to step into each character’s temperament and story. It reveals that glove puppetry is not only about spectacle and combat, but also about artistry and storytelling that move the heart. 

For this program, Samadhi Tang joins forces with Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe, whose sky-splitting war drums anchor the drama with surging intensity. As the beats rise and fall like waves, the puppets answer in finely calibrated motion. A turn of the body, a lift of the hand, a breath of stillness, each is pulled into the rhythm, shaping a taut yet lyrical stage pulse. Here, the grandeur of percussion and the delicacy of puppetry meet in the same space, creating a cross-genre theatre experience that is both electrifying with folk energy and profound in craft. Up close, through interaction and focused gaze, audiences enter a new puppetry landscape where power and detail coexist.

Founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Hsu Chen-Rong, Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe began as a traditional temple festival “parade formation” (zhentou) troupe. As times changed, the company set out to reinvent folk performance for the modern stage and ensure its sustainable transmission. Through continuous innovation, rigorous training, and expanded repertoire, Chio-Tian has elevated temple procession arts into a refined, professional theatrical form. 

Chio-Tian is one of Taiwan’s leading traditional folk performing arts companies. Originating as a temple festival parade formation troupe, it has since elevated folk ritual arts to a theatrical, culturally rich stage form. The troupe has been named an Outstanding Performing Arts Troupe of Taichung City and was selected by the former Council for Cultural Affairs (now the Ministry of Culture) as a nationally supported performing arts company. 

In 2012, director Feng Kai brought the troupe’s story to the big screen in the film Din Tao: Leader of the Parade, propelling it to nationwide fame and making it one of Taiwan’s best-known traditional performing arts troupes. In recent years, Chio-Tian’s drumming and deity-puppet performance formations have appeared repeatedly at major celebrations in Taiwan, including National Day events, and the troupe has toured internationally across the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Africa.

U Theatre is one of Asia’s leading performing arts companies, internationally acclaimed for a signature style it calls the “U Theatre aesthetic.” Rooted in the depth of ancient Eastern culture and shaped by contemporary theatre, its work is intensely musical yet never simply “music” or “dance.” Instead, U Theatre has developed a fully realized theatrical language of its own. 

Founded in 1988 by artistic director Liu Ruo-Yu at Laoquanshan  in Muzha, Taipei, the company draws on the rigorous physical training methods of Polish theatre master Jerzy Grotowski. In 1993, percussionist Huang Chih-Chun joined as drumming director. Guided by the principle “meditation first, then drumming,” they established the company’s distinctive training and performance form. U Theatre’s core philosophy centers on two ideals: “Dao, the discipline of cultivating one’s life,” and “Art, the practice of an aesthetic way of living.” Blending Eastern martial arts, drumming, meditation, tai chi daoyin, and Western sacred dance, the company draws widely from music, theatre, literature, dance, and ritual. Through this expansive vocabulary, it bridges East and West and crosses the boundaries between ancient and contemporary art. 

In a sea of lantern light, silence holds, and the drum is born from stillness. Precision and density in percussion, the Zen-like unity of body and martial movement, and tens of thousands of lights converse in quiet reverence. Anchored in steady rhythms and an inward, tranquil power, layered drum pieces rise like first light parting morning mist, then build toward a peak that seems to shake the space between heaven and earth. With the body as brush and the drum as ink, U Theatre writes a living calligraphy of stillness and motion: solemn, grounded percussion and the distinct timbres of different drums, carrying a subtle surge of uplift within composed restraint.

Hung Xing Court Puppet Shows Team joins forces with Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe in a cross-genre collaboration that opens a new chapter where tradition meets the contemporary stage. Rooted in the storytelling soul of glove puppetry, the performance is driven by the thunderous pulse of drum formations. Puppets and live performers, plot and percussion, legend and rhythm weave into a living dialogue, creating an immersive show that fuses folk aesthetics with a modern stage language. 

The drums embody the momentum of heaven and earth and the spirit of traditional troupes, while glove puppetry carries cultural memory and heroic archetypes. Together, they showcase not only the passing of the torch and bold reinvention of folk arts, but also Chiayi’s depth and confidence as a stronghold of living tradition. 

As sound and light surge into resonance, that spirit becomes a point of civic pride, letting Chiayi’s culture be heard and seen, and helping tradition shine on the world stage.

SPARK! from the UK delivers a street spectacle with the flair of live theatre, blending playful clowning with electrifying drumbeats, marching choreography, and tech-powered lighting to create a mysterious, high-impact audiovisual show. Five performers work in tight sync as rhythm, lights, sound effects, and rolling smoke build layer by layer toward a dramatic crescendo, keeping audiences immersed and constantly surprised. 

Designed for open-air settings such as streets, city squares, and parks, the show also adapts seamlessly to stages and indoor venues, making it an energetic experience for all ages. Fusing the raw pulse of percussion with luminous technology, SPARK! is both artistic and wildly entertaining, an international street performance that instantly catches fire with the crowd.

Yummy Man is a five-member band formed in Chiayi, made up of vocalist Pini, guitarists Yu-Ching and Sheng-Yu, bassist/KB Yi-Ting, and drummer Guan-Yi. The members first met in Chiayi on February 29, 2016, then grew together through music festivals across Taiwan. In August 2024, they released their debut all-Taiwanese album, Dreamless Youth. 

The band name “Yummy Man” comes from the dinner menu on the day they formed, playing on the English word “yummy,” while also carrying a Taiwanese saying-like idea: “one scoop of rice can feed a hundred kinds of people.” It reflects what they hope to do through music: tell a hundred stories, and meet a hundred lives along the way. 

Their sound is youthful, high-energy alternative rock, driven by layered harmonies, tension-filled guitar riffs, and a propulsive bass line. Onstage, they’re known for explosive live sets and a witty, playful charisma that has made them a favorite among festival crowds.

Trained by dance instructor Weng Zhong-De, the Chiayi Love Dance team has become a standout name in Chiayi’s dancesport scene. In 2022, the team delivered an extraordinary performance at the Citizens Sports Games, winning 14 gold medals and 1 silver, setting a record for Chiayi County within a single sport committee. On January 28, 2024, Weng led a group of young dancers to Malaysia for the Selangor Open Super Cup Dance Championship, where they once again achieved remarkable results and brought home a total of 26 gold medals, earning international recognition for Taiwan. 

A native of Yizhu Township in Chiayi County, Weng has also gained wider public attention through Taiwan’s dance talent shows. Since founding Chiayi Love Dance eight years ago, he has continued to promote ballroom and Latin dance as a sport and a shared community language. His students range from three-year-old beginners to older adults in their eighties. Beyond competition training, Chiayi Aiwu is known for its large-scale community participation. In 2018, Weng coached a hundred local participants from Puzi City to perform on the main stage of the Taiwan Lantern Festival. He has also long mentored children and young competitors, including teams that have earned top national rankings in youth dancesport leagues.

Founded in 2015, the Chiayi Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the region’s leading professional music ensembles. Since its inception, the orchestra has remained deeply rooted in Chiayi’s arts and culture scene, and has received the Chiayi County Outstanding Performing Arts Group award for multiple consecutive years, underscoring its outstanding contributions to music education, performing arts outreach, and long-term cultural cultivation. Bringing together local professional musicians, young talents, and music educators, the orchestra is driven by a clear mission: to promote classical music, elevate arts literacy, and nurture the cultural energy of the city. 

Chiayi Philharmonic actively partners with schools and educational institutions to support arts education at the grassroots level, hoping that through outreach initiatives and live performances, more young people will be inspired to pursue music with passion. 

In its programming, the orchestra spans Classical, Romantic, and contemporary repertoire, while also incorporating Taiwanese folk melodies, local cultural motifs, and inventive arrangements. This blend of global perspective and local spirit shapes an artistic style that is both refined and distinctly Chiayi. The orchestra’s diverse presentations broaden its artistic horizons, allowing audiences to enjoy timeless masterpieces while also discovering the unique charm of Chiayi’s cultural voice. Guided by the belief that “music is best when shared” and that friendship can be made through music, Chiayi Philharmonic hopes to make music a natural part of city life, bringing classical music closer, not as something distant, but as something that resonates with everyday experience. 

Looking ahead, the orchestra will continue toward its vision of “rooted locally, reaching the world,” deepening its presence in Chiayi while stepping onto broader stages. Through music, it seeks to connect hearts, warm the city, and become a vital force in carrying Taiwanese culture forward.

Founded in 2016, the Chiayi Traditional Orchestra is dedicated to cultivating Chinese traditional music in Chiayi and making the art form more accessible to wider audiences. Rooted in local arts development, intergenerational engagement, and place-based revitalization, the orchestra expands the definition of “Chinese traditional music” through pioneering cross-genre productions. From 2018 to 2024, it was selected as an Outstanding Performing Arts Group of Chiayi County, with residencies at the Chiayi County Performing Arts Center and the Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park. In 2025, it was further recognized by the National Culture and Arts Foundation as a Taiwan Top Performing Arts Group. 

Setting out from Chiayi, the orchestra hopes to help music lovers hear more of Chiayi’s distinctive voice. It also invites renowned conductors to offer guidance, while building a professional stage for outstanding young performers in southern Taiwan. Its signature programs include Two Ends Beneath the Time Tunnel, the Streaming Formosa series that connects the landscapes and cultures of Taiwan, the family concert series Chai-Chai Goes to Play, the intergenerational concert The Coolest Seniors, the immersive tea-and-music experience A Dialogue Between Tea and Sound, and the atmospheric On-the-Water Concert. 

Since 2022, the orchestra has also produced major festivals such as the Chiayi Traditional Music Festival, the Chiayi Ethnic Music Festival, and the Dapu Arts Festival. Alongside musical performances, these events incorporate theatre, dance, multimedia, and other interdisciplinary forms, continually offering audiences fresh ways to listen and experience, and opening new horizons for the sustainable development of Chinese traditional music in Chiayi.

Presented by the Chiayi Traditional Orchestra together with Tsou vocalist  Yinguyu Yata'uyungana, this performance builds on beloved melodies and weaves in the soaring, crystal-clear “voice of the mountains.” Onstage, the aura of Eastern legend meets the raw beauty of tribal sound, creating a dialogue that is both timeless and alive. Notes become guiding threads, stitching together the city’s elegance, the forest’s breath, and a romantic imagination that reaches beyond Chiayi. Through the layered call-and-response between instruments and voice, the concert unfolds as a sonic journey that crosses cultures and travels through time. 

Everyone who arrives in Chiayi is invited to listen in, to feel the resonance, and to hear the stories of this land, then to “fall in love with Chiayi, and fall in love with Chiayi artistry.”

On the evening of March 8, as part of “2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi,” the Chiayi County Government specially presents the “Chiayi Good Songs Concert,” weaving together the land’s collective memories and the shared emotions of everyday life across Taiwan. 

   Golden Melody Award–winning Taiwanese-language king Weng Li-You (Only You) sets a warm, down-to-earth tone with his nuanced vocals, singing the sweetness and bitterness of life and the intimacy of street-side stories. Lin Xin-yi, known for her beloved drama themes and pop hits, brings a familiar voice that captures a new generation’s tender take on love and dreams. The Chairman Band and Chiu & LeLe Band channel rock, punk, and Taiwanese-language flair into music driven by social awareness and island identity, igniting Chiayi’s night sky with passion, energy, and attitude. Rising act Ouba Siang-Tshing connects with younger audiences through a fresh Taiwanese pop sound and irresistibly catchy rhythms, delivering “the latest good songs” that every generation can sing along to. 

From heartfelt ballads to full-throttle rock, from beloved classics to new voices, this concert brings Chiayi’s warmth, cityscape, and everyday rhythm to life. In the interplay of lantern light and live sound, these stories are heard and remembered, making the show one of the signature musical chapters of the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi.

Founded in 1929, Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group is one of Taiwan’s most iconic Taiwanese opera (Gezai Opera) troupes, with nearly a century of history and extensive experience in large-scale outdoor festival productions. Renowned for blending traditional opera with modern stage technology, the company is known for its grand, immersive style. Its performances have appeared at lantern festivals, religious celebrations, and international cultural events across Taiwan and abroad, drawing massive audiences and showcasing the enduring vitality and contemporary resonance of Gezai Opera.

Six Centuries of Lantern Light centers on the cultural legacy of Lantern Festival traditions. Through a dramatic narrative that bridges past and present, the production weaves together history, fantasy, and modern urban imagery. Vocal performance, martial choreography, ensemble scenes, and stage technology converge in a rich interplay of light and music, expressing the spirit of “lanterns alight, culture enduring.” The result is an outdoor theatrical spectacle that brings both cultural depth and festive energy to the lantern festival.

The story opens amid the fires of war at the end of the Yuan dynasty. On the battlefield, Zhu Yuanzhang leads his forces into a dire situation. The people suffer, chaos reigns, and smoke fills the sky, reflecting an age of darkness and upheaval. At a turning point of fate, a modern-day elementary school student unexpectedly travels back in time and lands on the battlefield. Clutching a smartphone from the future, a symbol of knowledge, technology, and hope, the child panics and places a call to a history teacher in the present day.

This call across time becomes the play’s pivotal connection. Through the phone, the history teacher remotely guides Zhu Yuanzhang on how to unite the people, calm public unrest, and stabilize his troops, leading him step by step toward the founding of the Ming dynasty. In this context, lanterns are no longer mere festive decorations. They become symbols of illumination in troubled times and a force that steadies the human spirit.

As the story unfolds, the stage transitions from the ancient battlefield to the radiant nightscape of a contemporary Chiayi lantern festival. Seas of light ripple as crowds gather, and images of past and present overlap. The scene reflects how lantern culture has continued to shine for six centuries. Figures from history seem to stand alongside modern audiences beneath the same glow, bearing witness to how culture transcends time and connects generations.

This special program welcomes acclaimed Irish troupe Na Rinceoirí, traveling from Ireland to perform in Taiwan, joining forces with Scoil Rince Taiwan, Taiwan’s long-established Irish dance company. With dance as their language and rhythm as their bridge, they launch a cross-border dialogue in steps and beats. 

As the curtain rises, dancers from the “East” and “West” enter with sharply contrasting rhythmic styles. Lightning-fast, razor-precise footwork interweaves across the stage, pushing Irish step dance to the edge of technique, speed, and control. As the rhythms stack layer by layer, the atmosphere heats up. The face-off feels like a string drawn tight, pulling the audience into a thrilling peak of percussion and pulse. This is more than a competition. It is a dance dialogue between two island nations. When Ireland’s traditional rhythms meet the Taiwanese dancers’ physical language, the stage shifts from rivalry to resonance, and Irish dance becomes a shared tongue that connects cultures across distance. In every beat and strike, the performance reveals a contemporary spirit of Irish step dance. It also marks Taiwan’s first collaboration bringing a homegrown Irish dance company together on the same stage with an internationally renowned troupe from Ireland. For Irish step dance fans in Taiwan, this is one you won’t want to miss.  

Towering 10 meters high, stretching 13 meters long, and weighing 7 tons, the monumental mechanical installation Rain Horse appears at the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi as a fixed-site light show performance. It stands as one of the festival’s most striking large-scale visual landmarks. Rain Horse comes alive through motion and atmosphere. Its eyes open and close, its head turns, and white mist pours from its mouth. As light and shadow ripple across its body, audiences step into an artistic journey that blends sight and sound. 

The design incorporates motifs drawn from Hakka indigo dyeing, floral fabrics, and emblic (Indian gooseberry) patterns. A deep blue body paired with a rainbow mane expresses both cultural richness and contemporary artistry. Blue suggests inclusiveness and calm, while the rainbow evokes the peace and promise that follow the rain. Together, these colors weave a blessing of respect, understanding, and reconciliation across communities. 

At the Taiwan Lantern Festival, lantern light does more than illuminate the night. It becomes a vessel for emotions and wishes. In 2026, the Year of the Horse, Rain Horse returns to Chiayi as a symbol of forward motion, courage, and freedom, echoing the festival spirit of “lighting up the city and gathering hope.” Here, Rain Horse is more than an art installation. It is an emblem of courage and hope. 

With the Year of the Horse arriving, it offers heartfelt New Year blessings to children, wishing them steady steps and brave hearts as they grow and move forward into the future.

From France, Planète Vapeur was founded in 2006 by Pierre Povigna. With a background in architecture, Pierre has been fascinated since childhood by monumental art, intricate machinery, and large-scale structures. He brought together a team of technicians and artists to turn the fantastical visions in his mind into breathtaking reality. Creatures that soar through the sky, roam the earth, or glide through water are reimagined as spectacular works of kinetic sculpture. Building wondrous worlds that make people stop and stare remains the belief that drives the troupe’s creations. 

Pegasus begins as a reflection on the pace of modern city life. When towering buildings and unending traffic leave the spirit worn out, the work invites audiences to lift their eyes to the sky. Legend tells of a white horse with silver wings descending from the stars, like the brightest light of an autumn night, bringing hope and warmth before winter arrives. Through a parade performance woven from giant machines, light, sound, and motion, Pegasus leads viewers to slow down and take it in. To see with their eyes, to listen with their ears, and to rediscover the world’s gentleness and imagination.

Born in the midst of the pandemic, Rain Horse was created for children. 

As COVID-19 swept across the world, it reshaped everyday life. In 2021, the Hakka Affairs Council and Paper Windmill Theatre joined forces to create the family production Rain Horse, adapted from educator-author Hsiao Yeh’s picture book. Told with gentleness and quiet resolve, the story accompanies children as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic. 

On Happy Monkey Island, the Monkey Tribe and the Flower Tribe, led by the Monkey King and Princess Blossoms, live together in cheerful harmony. But it has not rained for a long time, and the monkeys begin to fall ill. Legend speaks of a “Rain Horse.” Wherever it appears, rain will follow. Determined to save the island, Princess Blossoms sets out in search of the Rain Horse. 

With the Taiwan Lantern Festival set in Chiayi, a city rooted in the memory of the land and shaped by a rich cultural lineage, the Rain Horse Highlights performance brings audiences of all generations into the world of Happy Monkey Island through expressive movement, musical rhythm, and striking stage visuals, with fire dance woven into the show. Through the performance, it becomes a shared memory for children and their families. 

Rain Horse is more than a story. It hopes that in the Year of the Horse, it can stand with children and help them face the world with strength and courage.

Towering 10 meters high, stretching 13 meters long, and weighing 7 tons, the monumental mechanical installation Rain Horse appears at the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi as a fixed-site light show performance. It stands as one of the festival’s most striking large-scale visual landmarks. Rain Horse comes alive through motion and atmosphere. Its eyes open and close, its head turns, and white mist pours from its mouth. As light and shadow ripple across its body, audiences step into an artistic journey that blends sight and sound. 

The design incorporates motifs drawn from Hakka indigo dyeing, floral fabrics, and emblic (Indian gooseberry) patterns. A deep blue body paired with a rainbow mane expresses both cultural richness and contemporary artistry. Blue suggests inclusiveness and calm, while the rainbow evokes the peace and promise that follow the rain. Together, these colors weave a blessing of respect, understanding, and reconciliation across communities. 

At the Taiwan Lantern Festival, lantern light does more than illuminate the night. It becomes a vessel for emotions and wishes. In 2026, the Year of the Horse, Rain Horse returns to Chiayi as a symbol of forward motion, courage, and freedom, echoing the festival spirit of “lighting up the city and gathering hope.” Here, Rain Horse is more than an art installation. It is an emblem of courage and hope. 

With the Year of the Horse arriving, it offers heartfelt New Year blessings to children, wishing them steady steps and brave hearts as they grow and move forward into the future.

Wen Shyang Dance Company: Chiayi County's premier professional dance company, awarded "Outstanding Performing Arts Group" for 18 consecutive years. They have performed at major international stages including the 2025 World Expo Taiwan Pavilion, Malaysia’s MAP Fest, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

SamadhiTang: Originating from traditional glove puppetry (Budaixi), members create original puppets and scripts to redefine puppet theater on a modern stage, bringing the audience closer to the characters' emotions.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Founded in 2017, the troupe is rooted in Māori culture. Through the traditional performing art of Kapa Haka, they channel the Mauri (life energy) of their people, fostering cross-cultural understanding and sharing New Zealand’s spiritual heritage.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Composed of youth from eight Alishan tribes, they preserve Tsou culture and language through song and dance. "Euvuvu" (the whistle) symbolizes ancient communication, signaling their mission to carry tribal heritage to the global stage.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Established in 2015, Circus Gate has represented Taiwan on prestigious international stages in Switzerland, Cuba, and Germany.  After gaining fame on Asia's Got Talent, they now focus on long-form contemporary circus. Their work After was nominated for the 2023 Taishin Arts Award.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Specialists in integrating dance, lighting, music, and stage design to create high-impact sensory experiences tailored to specific events. Since 2022, they have been frequent performers at the "Chiayi New Wave Dance" festival.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Hailing from Aki City, Kochi, "Saiya" carries the YOSAKOI spirit with youthful energy. They insist on original choreography, music, and costumes to revitalize their hometown and share the joy of YOSAKOI.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

A Hokkaido-based YOSAKOI Soran troupe and a long-time friend of the Taiwan Lantern Festival since 2003. Celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2026, they return to showcase their deepest passion and bond with Taiwan.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Merging traditional folk belief with modern techno and giant puppets, they have become legendary "idols" of Taiwan's temple culture. They are frequent performers at national celebrations and represent Taiwan as a unique cultural element internationally.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

A dynamic Yosakoi troupe of university students from Mie Prefecture. Every element—from choreography to large props—is handcrafted and original, aiming to deliver smiles and energy through their performances.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Hailing from Aichi Prefecture, this troupe of university students won the grand championship at the prestigious "Domannaka Matsuri" in Nagoya. Their synchronized movements showcase the charm of Nisshin City.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

From San Carlos City, Negros, the "Pintaflores" festival combines Pinta (paint) and Flores (flowers). Dancers with floral body art celebrate a bountiful harvest in this vibrant carnival.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Represented Taiwan at the 2024 Paris Cultural Olympiad and selected as a "Taiwan Top" performing arts group for 2024-2025. They focus on bringing contemporary art into public spaces, bridging the gap between performers and the audience.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Featuring a magnificent 8-meter tall mechanical "Lantern Monster" float. This interactive installation wakes up with the festival's rhythm—moving its eyes and wings—to create a journey of hope and blessing.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Korea's first municipal puppet theater. Award-winning and internationally active, they feature "The Piper"—a giant puppet ensemble—and mouse characters to create an unforgettable parade experience.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Supported by the county government since 2021, they blend street dance with local landscapes and Lantern Festival imagery, showcasing the explosive energy and cultural fusion of the new generation.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Established in 2023, the group focuses on Broadway-style musical theater. They have successfully produced classics like Beauty and the Beast and Titanic, promoting the charm of musical theater in southern Taiwan.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Taiwan's first professional contemporary circus team and a "Taiwan Top" group for nine consecutive years. They have performed in 25 countries and 98 cities, including the Edinburgh Fringe and Festival d'Avignon Off.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

A contemporary folk piece fusing Beiguan music with the ritual of the "Twelve Po-jie" (protectors of children). It combines traditional music, dance, and prayer flags to wish for national prosperity

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

A troupe composed of new immigrants and their children in Taibao City. They have gained confidence and acclaim through national performances, including the 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

A crossover production featuring music and dance interaction. By incorporating large puppets into the parade, they aim to push local artistic creation onto the national stage.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

A prestigious national ceremonial band. In addition to state ceremonies, they promote arts education through their annual "Soaring on the Clouds" concert series, recognized both domestically and internationally.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

A representative street dance brand in southern Taiwan since 2012. They are frequent champions in world-class competitions like Hip-Hop International (HHI) and represent Taiwan on global stages.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

A troupe composed of new immigrants and their children in Taibao City. They have gained confidence and acclaim through national performances, including the 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Merging traditional folk belief with modern techno and giant puppets, they have become legendary "idols" of Taiwan's temple culture. They are frequent performers at national celebrations and represent Taiwan as a unique cultural element internationally.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Represented Taiwan at the 2024 Paris Cultural Olympiad and selected as a "Taiwan Top" performing arts group for 2024-2025. They focus on bringing contemporary art into public spaces, bridging the gap between performers and the audience.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Established in 2015, Circus Gate has represented Taiwan on prestigious international stages in Switzerland, Cuba, and Germany.  After gaining fame on Asia's Got Talent, they now focus on long-form contemporary circus. Their work After was nominated for the 2023 Taishin Arts Award.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Kao Hui Chung: Golden Bell Best Actress.

Kao Lei Ya: A singer dedicated to Tsou folk songs.

Baobu Badulu: An award-winning guitarist. Together, they celebrate the ancestral melodies of the Tsou people.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

From San Carlos City, Negros, the "Pintaflores" festival combines Pinta (paint) and Flores (flowers). Dancers with floral body art celebrate a bountiful harvest in this vibrant carnival.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Wen Shyang Dance Company: Chiayi County's premier professional dance company, awarded "Outstanding Performing Arts Group" for 18 consecutive years. They have performed at major international stages including the 2025 World Expo Taiwan Pavilion, Malaysia’s MAP Fest, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

SamadhiTang: Originating from traditional glove puppetry (Budaixi), members create original puppets and scripts to redefine puppet theater on a modern stage, bringing the audience closer to the characters' emotions.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Specialists in integrating dance, lighting, music, and stage design to create high-impact sensory experiences tailored to specific events. Since 2022, they have been frequent performers at the "Chiayi New Wave Dance" festival.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Taiwan's first professional A Cappella group, having performed nearly 1,000 shows in over 80 cities. They were the first Taiwanese group to perform at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

A "Taiwan Top" team that has represented Taiwan at major fringe festivals in Australia, France, and the UK. They were also featured in the 2024 Paris Cultural Olympiad.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Established in 2023, the group focuses on Broadway-style musical theater. They have successfully produced classics like Beauty and the Beast and Titanic, promoting the charm of musical theater in southern Taiwan.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Dedicated to the innovation of traditional temple arts, their works have won Platinum at the MUSE Design Awards. they reinterpret folk arts for all generations to enjoy together.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Chen Ming-chang, a legendary titan of Taiwan’s music scene, is a "Grand Slam" winner of the Golden Horse, Golden Bell, and Golden Melody Awards, with his cinematic scores gaining international acclaim at festivals in Nantes, Flanders, and Japan. In 1996, he founded the Formosa Danshui Wandering Minstrels, a troupe of elite musicians dedicated to fusing Eastern pentatonic scales with the melodic structures of Nanguan, Beiguan, and Taiwanese Opera to create a modern yet soulfully traditional brand of World Music. Joining this powerful ensemble is Huang Fei, a three-time Golden Melody Best Female Singer renowned for her iconic anthem "Chase Chase Chase" and her unparalleled vocal style. This cross-disciplinary collaboration is completed by OA Studio (Order Attitude), Southern Taiwan’s premier street dance brand since 2012, bringing dynamic modern energy and international competitive flair to this extraordinary showcase of Taiwan’s cultural evolution.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Founded in 1987 by traditional performer Kim Won-min, the Troupe was established to preserve the authentic traditions of Korean yeonhui while creating new works that incorporate a contemporary sensibility. Originating from a voluntary gathering of young performers, the troupe has continued to present a wide range of creative productions that combine the aesthetics of traditional Korean performing arts with a modern artistic perspective.

The Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company is a prestigious "Taiwan Brand Team," a distinction awarded by the Ministry of Culture to only seven elite groups nationwide. Renowned for its excellence, the company has won the Golden Bell Award for Best Traditional Opera for its production The Heavenly General and His Lover, with numerous other works receiving acclaim at the Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music. The troupe is led by Tang Mei Yun, a recipient of the National Cultural Award and the National Award for Arts, who has been honored as Best Actress at the Golden Bell Awards and Best Performer at the Golden Melody Awards. Joining her are two legendary figures: Hsiao-mi, an officially recognized "Living National Treasure" and multi-time Best Performer winner , and Hsu Hsiu-nien, celebrated as the "Eternal Leading Lady" with over 62 years of stage experience and a Special Award recipient for her contributions to the craft. Together, they showcase the exquisite fusion of heritage and innovation, redefining the brilliance of Taiwanese Opera for a global audience.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Featuring the champion and popular groups from the 2024 show Atom Boyz 2. Their youthful energy and T-POP influence provide a powerful, modern closing to the festival.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

A prestigious national ceremonial band. In addition to state ceremonies, they promote arts education through their annual "Soaring on the Clouds" concert series, recognized both domestically and internationally.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

One of Taiwan's most popular professional cheerleading squads. Their high-energy performance rallies the crowd to support Team Taiwan for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Hailing from Aichi Prefecture, this troupe of university students won the grand championship at the prestigious "Domannaka Matsuri" in Nagoya. Their synchronized movements showcase the charm of Nisshin City.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

A dynamic Yosakoi troupe of university students from Mie Prefecture. Every element—from choreography to large props—is handcrafted and original, aiming to deliver smiles and energy through their performances.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Merging traditional folk belief with modern techno and giant puppets, they have become legendary "idols" of Taiwan's temple culture. They are frequent performers at national celebrations and represent Taiwan as a unique cultural element internationally.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

Represented Taiwan at the 2024 Paris Cultural Olympiad and selected as a "Taiwan Top" performing arts group for 2024-2025. They focus on bringing contemporary art into public spaces, bridging the gap between performers and the audience.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Hailing from Aki City, Kochi, "Saiya" carries the YOSAKOI spirit with youthful energy. They insist on original choreography, music, and costumes to revitalize their hometown and share the joy of YOSAKOI.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)
 

A Hokkaido-based YOSAKOI Soran troupe and a long-time friend of the Taiwan Lantern Festival since 2003. Celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2026, they return to showcase their deepest passion and bond with Taiwan.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Specialists in integrating dance, lighting, music, and stage design to create high-impact sensory experiences tailored to specific events. Since 2022, they have been frequent performers at the "Chiayi New Wave Dance" festival.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Established in 2015, Circus Gate has represented Taiwan on prestigious international stages in Switzerland, Cuba, and Germany.  After gaining fame on Asia's Got Talent, they now focus on long-form contemporary circus. Their work After was nominated for the 2023 Taishin Arts Award.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Kao Hui Chung: Golden Bell Best Actress.

Kao Lei Ya: A singer dedicated to Tsou folk songs.

Baobu Badulu: An award-winning guitarist. Together, they celebrate the ancestral melodies of the Tsou people.

From San Carlos City, Negros, the "Pintaflores" festival combines Pinta (paint) and Flores (flowers). Dancers with floral body art celebrate a bountiful harvest in this vibrant carnival.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

Wen Shyang Dance Company: Chiayi County's premier professional dance company, awarded "Outstanding Performing Arts Group" for 18 consecutive years. They have performed at major international stages including the 2025 World Expo Taiwan Pavilion, Malaysia’s MAP Fest, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

SamadhiTang: Originating from traditional glove puppetry (Budaixi), members create original puppets and scripts to redefine puppet theater on a modern stage, bringing the audience closer to the characters' emotions.

( AI Translation Disclaimer：This content has been translated and refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In the event of any linguistic discrepancy, the original Chinese version shall prevail.)

The Brass Band of Kyoto Tachibana High School was founded in 1961 by Mr. Hisashi Hiramatsu, former chairman of the All Japan Band Association, and was regarded as a pioneer of girls’ brass bands and marching bands. For over 60 years, the band has been recognized by its iconic orange uniforms. They have appeared in music videos of famous artists such as Masaharu Fukuyama, and contributed to the soundtrack recording of Mamoru Hosoda’s film Belle (Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime). The band’s spirit is “Full of Energy, Full of Smiles, Full of Dreams.”

In 2022, to celebrate 50 years of Taiwan–Japan friendship, Kyoto Tachibana High School Band (119th, 120th, and 121st generations) was invited to perform in Taiwan, becoming the first foreign group to appear on Taiwan’s National Day stage. Their energetic and infectious performance sparked the “Orange Whirlwind” in Taiwan, earning them the nickname “Orange Devils.” In 2023, members from the 120th, 121st, and 122nd generations returned to Taiwan for another exchange tour, holding parades in Kaohsiung and Taipei’s Ximending, and staging their first solo ticketed concert at the National Concert Hall.

The 121st generation members, who visited Taiwan for two consecutive years, continued their musical studies at universities in Japan after graduation. In March 2026, marking the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and a milestone in Taiwan–Japan friendship, nearly 30 alumni of the 121st generation reunited as the Orange Friendship Alumni Band with support from E.SUN Bank and the General Association of Culture, returning to Taiwan to perform with gratitude and blessings, hoping to respond through music to the warmth Taiwan has given over the years.

“Shirotori Odori” is a traditional Bon dance passed down for over 400 years in Shirotori Town, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture. Bon dances are a summer custom held every August to welcome ancestral spirits, where people gather to dance in remembrance and gratitude.

During summer, residents and visitors join hands to form a large circle, dancing to the lively rhythms of taiko drums and shamisen for 21 consecutive nights. The highlight is the All-Night Dance from August 13 to 15, continuing from 8:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. the next morning, drawing huge crowds each year.

Shirotori Odori features eight dance songs with steps inspired by farming movements. Simple and approachable, even first-time participants can quickly learn and join. Compared to other Bon dances, Shirotori Odori has a faster tempo and dynamic melodies, making it especially popular among younger generations.

From France, Planète Vapeur was founded in 2006 by Pierre Povigna. With a background in architecture, Pierre has been fascinated since childhood by monumental art, intricate machinery, and large-scale structures. He brought together a team of technicians and artists to turn the fantastical visions in his mind into breathtaking reality. Creatures that soar through the sky, roam the earth, or glide through water are reimagined as spectacular works of kinetic sculpture. Building wondrous worlds that make people stop and stare remains the belief that drives the troupe’s creations. 

Pegasus begins as a reflection on the pace of modern city life. When towering buildings and unending traffic leave the spirit worn out, the work invites audiences to lift their eyes to the sky. Legend tells of a white horse with silver wings descending from the stars, like the brightest light of an autumn night, bringing hope and warmth before winter arrives. Through a parade performance woven from giant machines, light, sound, and motion, Pegasus leads viewers to slow down and take it in. To see with their eyes, to listen with their ears, and to rediscover the world’s gentleness and imagination.