The Shenlong Gundam appeared at the 2013 New Taipei City Summer Arts Festival

▲ Highlights of the 2012 New Taipei City Summer Arts Festival performances. (Photo / Courtesy ofthe “Art Together Summer e Up” Facebook fan page)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive report

The 2013 “Art Together Summer – 2013 New Taipei City Summer Arts Festival” was full of anime flair. The “Anime Heroes Park” located in Banqiao’s 435 Art Zone specially imported a 5.1-meter-tall Alien Queen from the U.S., along with Taiwan’s tallest “Shenlong Gundam” model and an original 3-meter-tall “Iron Hero.” Seven major original Taiwanese animation studios also jointly exhibited 2D, 3D, and puppet animation works. Next week on the afternoons of the 27th and 28th at 2 PM, the preliminaries and finals of the “Anime Rock Music Contest” will be held.

Organized by the New Taipei City Government, the Summer Arts Festival runs from July 20 to August 4. This year’s event is themed “Fantasy Adventure,” featuring three themed parks: the “Children’s Art Park,” the “Anime Heroes Park,” and the “Summer Grand Adventure,” located at Civic Plaza, Banqiao’s 435 Art Zone, and Fuzhong 15 respectively.

The New Taipei City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that this year’s Summer Arts Festival aims to turn New Taipei City into a summer art adventure park. The “Children’s Art Park” not only features a 6-meter rainbow temple and a giant pyramid-shaped block slide but also offers 21 performances including music, theater, magic, and acrobatics every Thursday to Sunday evening at 7 PM, brought by performance troupes from France, the Czech Republic, and local groups.

% Images of the anime activities held at the 2012 New Taipei City Summer Arts Festival. (Photo / Courtesy of the “Art Together Summer e Up” Facebook fan page)

The “Summer Grand Adventure” takes place at Fuzhong 15, featuring a “Brave This Summer” themed film festival that selects 21 high-quality animations and movies shown across 92 screenings. It also offers many fun animation experience workshops and an animation art education special exhibition.

[2013 New Taipei City Summer Arts Festival]
Opening hours: “Children’s Art Park” is open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM; “Anime Heroes Park” and “Summer Grand Adventure” are open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. Free admission.
Free shuttle bus: Every Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 7 PM, shuttle bus stops are set up at Civic Plaza, Fuzhong 15, and Banqiao’s 435 Art Zone, with buses running every 20 minutes.