Taiwan-France Cultural Award highlights close bilateral ties: Ministry

Taipei, Sept. 9 (CNA) The 28th Taiwan-France Cultural Award ceremony and contract renewal was held Monday at the Institut de France in Paris, underscoring the close ties between the two countries, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Culture.

This year's recipients were Jean-Marc Thérouanne, co-founder and artistic director of the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinemas (FICA), and choreographer Tsai Po-cheng (蔡博丞), artistic director of the dance company B.DANCE, the ministry said Tuesday in a press release.

The award was jointly presented by Taiwan's Minister of Culture Li Yuan (李遠), Jean-Robert Pitte, president of the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques of the Institut de France, and Permanent Secretary Bernard Stirn, the ministry said.

Li also signed a five-year renewal agreement (2026-2030) with Stirn, reaffirming cooperation between the ministry and the Académie, it said.

Institut president Xavier Darcos met with Li before the ceremony to express appreciation for Taiwan's commitment to the award and its willingness to continue the collaboration, according to the ministry.

Thérouanne, who co-founded FICA in 1995, has screened more than 80 Taiwan-related films and written extensively on Taiwanese cinema, helping generations of French audiences discover Taiwan's diverse film culture, the ministry said.

Tsai, one of Taiwan's most internationally acclaimed choreographers, founded B.DANCE in 2014. Tsai's works have earned top honors in Germany and France, and he is seen as a leading voice of Taiwan's new generation of contemporary dance, the ministry noted.

First established in 1996, the Taiwan-France Cultural Award honors individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to promoting Taiwanese culture in France and Europe, the ministry said.

A total of 52 recipients have been recognized over the past 29 years, it added.