SDG11
Local Heritage Resonance: NCKU Puppet Show Depicts the Legendary Battles of Tainan
With just over 20 days left until Tainan's 400th anniversary, various related celebrations are in full swing. On the evening of December 6th, the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences Taiwan Studies Program invited the "Ancient Capital Puppet Theater" to perform "The Legends of Tainan: A Tale of War and Glory" at the historically significant "Phoenix Tree Theater" on the NCKU campus. Through captivating visual artistry and intense emotional portrayal, the performance accompanied the audience on a journey through time and space, offering glimpses into the lives of ordinary people in a grand historical era, and showcasing the boundless creativity of contemporary cultural practice.
The Ancient Capital Puppet Theater's production "The Legends of Tainan: A Tale of War and Glory" interprets historical events from 400 years ago in Tainan through puppetry, transforming written texts and oral stories into visual art. The performance, far from being a mere puppet show and narration, emphasizes emotional resonance with the audience. Even after the curtains fell on the performance at the Phoenix Tree Theater on the evening of the 6th, the audience remained immersed in the world of the play, unable to tear themselves away.
Located on Yongfu Road in Tainan's Central-Western District, the "Chen De Tang" was once the residence of Ze Chen , the right-hand man of the Eastern Ning Prefect. Now serving as the ancestral hall for the Chen clan across Taiwan, it is a designated historic site in Tainan City. Built during the Yongli era of the Ming Dynasty, it was once known as the "Prefectural Mansion," with the adjacent alley consequently dubbed "Prefectural Alley." "The Legends of Tainan: A Tale of War and Glory" focuses on Ze Chen , a key figure in Zheng Chenggong's entourage, and recounts the historical memories of everyday life on the streets of Tainan.
Unlike traditional dramas that focus on famous figures, emphasizing combat, battles, and conflicts between male characters, this production not only integrates rich historical narratives to interpret Ze Chen 's contributions to Taiwan but also delicately portrays his journey with his wife, Guo Rui, from their first meeting to their enduring companionship. As the story unfolds, the audience gains deeper insights not only into the history of Taiwan but also into the profound layers of psychology and emotion.
The Ancient Capital Puppet Theater has long been rooted in Tainan, bringing local historical stories to the stage and combining innovative special effects with traditional storytelling. Since 2010, the theater troupe has translated many folk tales, integrating various forms of performing arts to modernize puppetry and convey new ideas. In the performance venue, amidst seamless transitions, the grandeur and romance of Tainan 400 years ago are given a contemporary twist and performance, accompanying the audience as they traverse the dimensions of time and space, appreciating the beauty of traditional Taiwanese drama.
As the countdown to Tainan 400 continues, the National Cheng Kung University's Center for Humanities and Social Sciences Taiwan Studies Program, through its "Viewing the Prefecture, Viewing the City" series of activities, offers a panoramic view of Tainan's century-old livelihoods and cultural landscapes. Since April 2023, through thematic lectures, concerts, and cultural tours focusing on 10 major aspects, teachers, students, and the public have been invited to explore Tainan's vibrant expressions and memories. Last Saturday's cultural tour of "Strolling through Rice Street and Meiji Town" touched many participants, with some expressing their excitement about experiencing Tainan from different perspectives.
After a year of enthusiastic warm-up events, the 2024 Tainan 400th anniversary is just around the corner. Director Tsai Chun-li of the Center for Humanities and Social Sciences expressed that the "Viewing the Prefecture, Viewing the City" series of activities will depart from the historical foundations of the 10 major aspects, extending to envision a new future for the city next year. In 2024, the Center will continue this theme, launching a brand-new series of events for Tainan 400. They sincerely invite NCKU students, residents of Tainan, and friends from all over to stay tuned and actively participate, witnessing this special moment and ushering in a more fulfilling and beautiful next 400 years!
The Ancient Capital Puppet Theater's production "The Legends of Tainan: A Tale of War and Glory" interprets historical events from 400 years ago in Tainan through puppetry, transforming written texts and oral stories into visual art. The performance, far from being a mere puppet show and narration, emphasizes emotional resonance with the audience. Even after the curtains fell on the performance at the Phoenix Tree Theater on the evening of the 6th, the audience remained immersed in the world of the play, unable to tear themselves away.
Located on Yongfu Road in Tainan's Central-Western District, the "Chen De Tang" was once the residence of Ze Chen , the right-hand man of the Eastern Ning Prefect. Now serving as the ancestral hall for the Chen clan across Taiwan, it is a designated historic site in Tainan City. Built during the Yongli era of the Ming Dynasty, it was once known as the "Prefectural Mansion," with the adjacent alley consequently dubbed "Prefectural Alley." "The Legends of Tainan: A Tale of War and Glory" focuses on Ze Chen , a key figure in Zheng Chenggong's entourage, and recounts the historical memories of everyday life on the streets of Tainan.
Unlike traditional dramas that focus on famous figures, emphasizing combat, battles, and conflicts between male characters, this production not only integrates rich historical narratives to interpret Ze Chen 's contributions to Taiwan but also delicately portrays his journey with his wife, Guo Rui, from their first meeting to their enduring companionship. As the story unfolds, the audience gains deeper insights not only into the history of Taiwan but also into the profound layers of psychology and emotion.
The Ancient Capital Puppet Theater has long been rooted in Tainan, bringing local historical stories to the stage and combining innovative special effects with traditional storytelling. Since 2010, the theater troupe has translated many folk tales, integrating various forms of performing arts to modernize puppetry and convey new ideas. In the performance venue, amidst seamless transitions, the grandeur and romance of Tainan 400 years ago are given a contemporary twist and performance, accompanying the audience as they traverse the dimensions of time and space, appreciating the beauty of traditional Taiwanese drama.
As the countdown to Tainan 400 continues, the National Cheng Kung University's Center for Humanities and Social Sciences Taiwan Studies Program, through its "Viewing the Prefecture, Viewing the City" series of activities, offers a panoramic view of Tainan's century-old livelihoods and cultural landscapes. Since April 2023, through thematic lectures, concerts, and cultural tours focusing on 10 major aspects, teachers, students, and the public have been invited to explore Tainan's vibrant expressions and memories. Last Saturday's cultural tour of "Strolling through Rice Street and Meiji Town" touched many participants, with some expressing their excitement about experiencing Tainan from different perspectives.
After a year of enthusiastic warm-up events, the 2024 Tainan 400th anniversary is just around the corner. Director Tsai Chun-li of the Center for Humanities and Social Sciences expressed that the "Viewing the Prefecture, Viewing the City" series of activities will depart from the historical foundations of the 10 major aspects, extending to envision a new future for the city next year. In 2024, the Center will continue this theme, launching a brand-new series of events for Tainan 400. They sincerely invite NCKU students, residents of Tainan, and friends from all over to stay tuned and actively participate, witnessing this special moment and ushering in a more fulfilling and beautiful next 400 years!
With Tainan 400 just over 20 days away, on the evening of December 6th, the "古都木偶戲劇團" visited NCKU to perform "府城傳奇・戰火波瀾." Through captivating visual artistry and intense emotional resonance, they guided the audience on a journey through time and space, offering different perspectives on the historical memories embedded in the everyday streets of Tainan.
The play "府城傳奇・戰火波瀾" used puppetry to interpret historical events from 400 years ago in Tainan, presenting textual and oral narratives through visual art. Even after the performance concluded at the Phoenix Tree Theater on the evening of the 6th, audience members remained immersed in the theatrical space, finding it hard to tear themselves away.
