2020 TAIWANfest

Inspired by the Taiwanese people’s aspirations for joy across the world and the Canadian people’s pursuit to leave a legacy for the future, let the music uplift spirits around us.

As the Co-Founder of PuSh Festival, having also served as its Artistic and Executive Director for over 14 years, Norman Armour knows what it takes to draw an audience to experimental and contemporary performing arts. His deep appreciation for Vancouver’s audience and the city’s culture has been clear in every step of his journey.

Artistic Director of the 2010 Vancouver Cultural Olympiad, Robert Kerr has a long successful history of producing and delivering extraordinary arts and cultural festivals and events.

As the co-founder of NOW Magazine and founder of North by Northeast (NXNE) music and gaming festival, Michael Hollett understands that taking risks is part of the business and without risk, there is no reward.

Diana Webley is a Senior producer and interim manager for Cultural Engagement at Harbourfront Centre. Diana specializes in art direction, planning, programming, development and production.

When the Age of Discovery began in the early 15th century, the world started to communicate and exchange different cultures. As a core connection between East and Southeast Asia, Taiwan brought the European, Asian, Taiwanese, and Indigenous people together.

As the world is pinching into a new cold war, the relationship between the democratic world and China is becoming a great challenge for many world leaders. Coincidentally, Taiwan has turned into a vibrant democracy with a robust economy; its remarkable handling of COVID-19 has been the envy of the world.

Ken Hsieh is the Music Director of the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra and has led the annual TAIWANfest Opening Concerts in Toronto for several years.

Discrimination has been a relentless and persistent issue throughout history, and it will continue to exist in our society going in the future.

University of British Columbia Associate Professor Bruce Rusk shares his personal experience of being in Taiwan throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

With roots in Taiwan, the UK, and Canada, Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai provides us with his world view of where Canada lies in terms of diversity, and how we as a collective can do better.

Tong Zhou made waves with his work “The Courage” that was presented at 2019 TAIWANfest, and he returns this year with “(Un)being Chinese”, a new work that reflects on identity and stereotypes within our current climate.

Cheryl Robbins has been in Taiwan for over 25 years, and loves Taiwan’s ecological diversity as well as the friendliness and enthusiasm of the people.