【Thursday Art & Culture】Alishan Sunrise Impression Concert to Welcome the First Light of 2014

The Chiayi County Government, Forestry Bureau Chiayi Forest District Office, Alishan National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, and Taiwan Mobile Foundation have joined forces once again following the centennial celebration of the Republic of China. This year, under the theme of “One Life, One Love” (spanning 13 to welcome 14, homophonous with 1314), symbolizing eternal happiness and the first light of dawn, they have chosen “West Side Story” and “L’Arlesienne” to highlight the theme of romantic love. The collaboration blends orchestral music with tap dance to present love stories in an unconventional way. Though both are tales of love, their expressions differ greatly—one is passionate, the other melancholic—hoping to inspire everyone to cherish their loved ones and board the train of eternal happiness at sunrise, stepping into 2014.

 

The concert is divided into three spectacular segments: before sunrise, during sunrise, and after sunrise. Before sunrise, “West Side Story” will express the longing for love, while dance will showcase the passion for it; during sunrise, Richard Strauss’s magnificent symphonic piece “Also sprach Zarathustra” will accompany the moment of sunrise. In Nietzsche’s philosophical vision — music is given the power to never be forgotten; after sunrise, the lingering melodies of “L’Arlesienne” will provide audiences with boundless imagination.

The Tap Dance Factory, a top-tier dance troupe known for modern dance and acclaimed for American tap dancing, will also perform on Alishan for the first time. Dancers typically cannot wear heavy clothing, so in the extreme cold, they will rely on hand warmers to endure the chill. Previously, they only needed 10 minutes to warm up before going on stage, but this time it will take an hour. troupe leader Hao Jialong said: “The performance will face dual challenges—not only is it our first high-altitude show, but we must also overcome the stiffness caused by freezing temperatures to match the rhythm of the orchestra and choir. Whether in terms of stamina, endurance, or agility, it will be a demanding test.”

 

In previous years, the “Alishan Sunrise Impression Concert” always attracted huge crowds, with tickets hard to come by. This year, to ensure the public doesn’t miss out on this musical carnival and to welcome the first light of 2014 together, Lion Travel has planned the “1314. New Year’s Eve No Sleep” package — just 666 TWD per person. For couples who registered their marriage in 2013, there is also a “Love 1314. Romantic Alishan” package for two at 1314 TWD, which includes reserved seating at the Alishan concert and a 1314 Alishan commemorative certificate.

 

 

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【Thursday Art & Culture】Impression. Classics — The Monet Exhibition: Exploring the Master’s Play of Light and Water

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