Taiwan Culture Minister Visits Palais de Chaillot for 2028 Dance Showcase

Minister of Culture Li Yuan arrived in the French capital of Paris on the 13th of this month, making his first visit to the Théâtre national de la danse Chaillot located on the Left Bank of the Seine. This visit not only marks his first personal entry into the theater but also symbolizes a new stage for Taiwan on the international dance art landscape. During his visit, Minister Li engaged in an in-depth exchange with the theater's Artistic Director, Rachid Ouramdane, holding concrete discussions on the possibilities of future cooperation. Ouramdane pointed out that the Théâtre national de la danse Chaillot is currently undergoing major renovations and is scheduled to reopen in 2028. At that time, it will feature a "Taiwan Focus" program as one of its themes, inviting Taiwanese dance troupes, including Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, to perform, with the expectation of presenting Taiwan's contemporary creative strength through the stage.

Since its establishment in 1974, the Théâtre national de la danse Chaillot has consistently served as a major platform for contemporary dance in France and throughout Europe. As a French national dance theater, it not only hosts works by local choreographers but also frequently invites internationally renowned dance troupes to perform, fostering cross-cultural artistic dialogue. In recent years, the theater has continued to invest resources in promoting diversity and cross-disciplinary collaboration, particularly through upgrades to its new architecture and technical equipment, striving to create more immersive and interactive performance spaces. This renovation project is expected to comprehensively upgrade stage machinery, lighting and sound systems, and audience seating comfort, providing better hardware conditions for future large-scale international performances.

For Taiwan, receiving the "Taiwan Focus" invitation from the Théâtre national de la danse Chaillot is a major highlight of cultural diplomacy in recent years. Since the 1990s, Taiwanese dance troupes such as Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and others have left their footprints on major European stages, but serving as a focal point at a French national dance theater remains rare. Since its founding in 1973, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre has been renowned for combining Eastern aesthetics with modern dance language, and its founder, Lin Hwai-min, has received widespread acclaim from the international art community for promoting modern interpretations of Taiwan's indigenous and traditional cultures. Taking the stage at the Théâtre national de la danse Chaillot in 2028 will not only elevate the visibility of Taiwanese dance in Europe but also help deepen the foundation of cooperation between the two countries in the cultural and creative industries.

Minister Li Yuan's trip is also viewed as a concrete action of "cultural diplomacy." In recent years, the Taiwanese government has actively promoted the cultural policy of "moving toward the world," enhancing Taiwan's international image through diverse channels such as arts festivals, exhibitions, performances, and academic exchanges. Establishing closer cooperative relationships with an artistic powerhouse like France can not only secure more international stages for local artists but also promote reciprocity between the two nations in areas such as art education and the cultivation of creative industry talent. During the meeting, Ouramdane stated that the two sides could cooperate in the future on projects such as artist residencies, co-curation, and exchanges for young dancers, injecting new vitality into the dance ecosystems of both countries.

From a broader perspective, the reopening of the Théâtre national de la danse Chaillot in 2028 will coincide with a critical moment for Taiwan to continue making its voice heard on the global cultural map. With the rise of contemporary Asian art, European audiences' acceptance of non-Western creations is steadily increasing. If Taiwanese dance troupes can present works possessing both local spirit and an international perspective on this platform, it will help break cultural stereotypes and allow the world to rediscover Taiwan's creative energy. For local audiences in Taiwan, it is also a long-awaited opportunity to see the reflection of their own culture on the international stage, further inspiring support for and participation in local arts.

In summary, Minister Li Yuan's inaugural visit to the Théâtre national de la danse Chaillot in France is not only a milestone in his personal career but also an important step for Taiwan's cultural diplomacy. As the theater renovation project advances and the planning for the 2028 "Taiwan Focus" is realized, Taiwanese dance troupes will have a broader stage to showcase their creations in the future, which will also inject sustained momentum into the cultural exchange between the two nations. This series of cooperation and planning will gradually manifest its profound impact in the coming years, writing a new chapter for Taiwan's international cultural image.