Ancient city light art showcases diverse styles; Hengchun Folk Song Festival kicks off on the 25th

Reported by You t
ru / Compiled report

The 2014 Hengchun Folk Song Festival will open at 7:00 PM on October 25 at Hengchun West Gate Square. This year’s theme, “Folk Vibes 'Folk Rollin’,” features a lineup of performances by local folk groups, Golden Melody Award-winning Taiwanese pop queen Show Lo Ma-ya, musical poet Matthew Lien, and other top-quality folk bands and singers from both home and abroad, alongside the appreciation of ancient city light art.


▲ The Hengchun Folk Song Festival will open at 7:00 PM on October 25 at Hengchun West Gate Square. (Photo / Provided by Pingtung City Government)

Entering its seventh year, the Hengchun Folk Song Festival runs from October 25 to November 2, featuring a “Light Art Installation Exhibition.” Through the interpretation of ‘light,’ the ancient city of Hengchun takes on diverse appearances, inviting visitors from all over to come and enjoy a variety of folk music while experiencing the unique beauty of the ancient city.

The opening ceremony on the 25th will feature Taiwan’s pan flute prince Zhang Zhongli and the ROBERTO Latin Band, presenting the diversity and richness of world folk music through Latin music styles. This also echoes the theme “Folk Vibes 'Folk Rollin’,” using passionate, slightly rock-infused Latin music to kick off the series of events. Performers include the Hengchun Thoughts Folk Song Promotion Association, musical poet Matthew Lien, Taiwanese pop queen Show Lo Ma-ya, Taiwan’s OBOE prince Tsai Hsing-kuo, and the Andes Mountain Band.

In addition, from October 24 to November 2, the “Light Art Installation Exhibition” will display works by four groups of artists at the East Gate, North Gate, South Gate ancient walls, pathways, and the Hengchun Folk Song Museum. These incorporate local cultural elements such as moon lutes, folk songs, and sisal hemp, connecting Hengchun’s tangible and intangible heritage. The installations will be illuminated every evening from 18:00 to 21:30 during the event period. On October 31 and November 1, there will be a folk song battle, inviting top talent from across the country to compete. The closing ceremony on November 2 will begin with a performance by the Ming Hua Yuan Theater Troupe, along with participation from Hai Ma Cultural Creativity, Dagou Wild Song Troupe, Pingtung Folk Song Troupe, and Muse Treading Mud, joining forces with local schools and associations for a shared celebration.