Taiwan wins 5 first-place prizes at World Stage Design contest

Taipei, Oct. 25 (CNA) Taiwan won five first-place prizes at the 2025 World Stage Design (WSD) competition in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, which concluded on Saturday.

The awards included Sound Design in both the "professional" and "emerging" categories, along with professional Video and Projection Design, and emerging Set Design and Lighting Design, according to a press release from the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT).

OISTAT, which co-organized the event with Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, stated that the 2025 WSD received 744 entries, with 100 works from 20 countries selected as finalists, including 30 from Taiwan.

Held once every four years, this year's edition was themed "Tomorrow's Heritage" and held in collaboration with the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy from Oct. 18 to Saturday, with a focus on sustainable theater design.

OISTAT Executive Director Wei Wan-jung (魏琬容) said in the press release that Taiwan excelled in sound design, highlighting the two first prizes as proof of the nation's strong artistic capability in the field.

Wei expressed appreciation to Taiwan's Ministry of Culture for its longstanding support of OISTAT, adding that the international recognition of Taiwan's theater designers reflects "the dedication of numerous creators and cultural advocates."

"We will continue to champion creative freedom and ensure that Taiwan's cultural energy shines on the world stage," Wei said.

According to OISTAT's website, the organization is an international network of theater professionals in design, technology and architecture, currently headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan.