Taiwan troupes launch 3-week run at Festival Off Avignon with parade

Avignon, France, July 4 (CNA) Four Taiwanese performing arts groups kicked off a three-week run at the 2026 Festival Off Avignon on Friday, promoting their productions during the festival's opening street parade.

This year marks the 60th edition of the Festival Off Avignon and the 20th anniversary of Taiwan's participation at the event.

The four Taiwanese productions are "Trace of Belief" by Chun Dance, "∞ -- Infinite Loop" by Kuo-shin Chuang Pangcah Dance Theater, "Lost Connection" by Seed Dance and "The Rite of Spring" by Dashing Theater.

During the opening parade, performers from around the world marched through the streets of Avignon in costume, using short performances to introduce their shows to festivalgoers.

The Taiwanese groups also staged brief performances along the parade route, drawing crowds of onlookers.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, "Trace of Belief" explores Hakka cultural memory and everyday rituals through movement, inviting audiences into a shared ceremonial experience.

"∞ -- Infinite Loop" draws inspiration from the Amis Indigenous people's male age-grade system featured in harvest festivals, examining the relationship between dance, social order, collective identity and memory.

"Lost Connection" reflects on the modern habit of constantly looking down at digital devices, using energetic choreography to depict how technology has reshaped everyday life and human perception.

Meanwhile, "The Rite of Spring" juxtaposes different movement vocabularies to create deliberate sensory tension, exploring how the body navigates, negotiates and resists between multiple cultures.

Chen Hung-hsing (陳宏星), director of the Taiwan Cultural Center in Paris, said the festival provides Taiwanese artists with an opportunity to test their works before European audiences and build connections with international performing arts networks.

The 2026 Festival Off Avignon runs from July 4-25, featuring around 1,780 productions at more than 140 venues across the southern French city.