The 5th NCKU Theatre Festival Opens — Pioneering a New Model for Performing Arts and Sustainable Education-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The first international conference of the 5th Theatre Festival “Sincerely Performing Arts – Performing with You”(成心城藝　與你相劇), titled “Crossing and Arts”(跨與藝), was held from October 15 to 16, 2025, marking the beginning of this year’s vibrant series of festival events. The two-day conference brought together experts, researchers, and students from Taiwan and abroad to explore performing arts education and interdisciplinary humanities practices through the lens of sustainability and innovation. The event featured two keynote lectures, with scholars from Germany and the United States sharing insights on Taiwanese traditional arts and craftsmanship, as well as the promotion of Chinese language and culture in international education, offering valuable perspectives on cross-cultural collaboration and global communication.

Unlike typical academic conferences held indoors, the “Crossing and Arts”(跨與藝) conference began on the morning of October 15 with an outdoor original circus musical performance presented by the Tien Circus Theatre (天馬戲創作劇團) in front of NCKU’s Department of Chinese Literature building at the Kuang-Fu Campus. Attending the event were esteemed faculty and guests from across NCKU and other institutions, including Dean Wen-Sung Chen of the College of Liberal Arts, Dean Chin-Chun Tsai of the College of Science, Dean Chun-Li Tsai of the College of Social Sciences, Chair Hsing-Chuan Tsai of the Department of History, Chair Wei-Hung Yen of the Department of Chinese Literature, Research Director Chia-Pin Chen and Associate Professor Jin-Fon Yang of the Institute of Art Studies and NCKU Art Center; Chairperson Li-Li Chen and Director Seung-Min Yang of Knoten der Kultur (文化結); Dean Li-Hsun Wang of the College of New Media and Management, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages; and Director Li-Fen Wang of Dome Orange Humanistic Stronghold (丹橘人文藝術空間). Together, they joined in celebrating the opening of the “Crossing and Arts”(跨與藝) conference.

In his remarks, Dean Wen-Sung Chen of the College of Liberal Arts praised the opening performance by the Tien Circus Theatre (天馬戲創作劇團) for its vitality and creativity: “The performance captured the innovative spirit of performing arts and perfectly echoed the conference’s theme. ‘Crossing and Arts’(跨與藝) represents not only cross-disciplinary innovation but also the integration and sustainability we pursue in education. The Institute of Art Studies and the Master’s Program in Drama at NCKU consistently bridge multiple disciplines—from traditional opera to modern technology—demonstrating profound dedication to both teaching and art.” He extended his gratitude to all professors, coordinators, and students involved in planning and organizing the event:  “Because of your dedication, the humanities and drama have intertwined here to create a new academic landscape. I hope this conference will inspire more dialogue and collaboration, enabling NCKU to remain a cradle for cultivating global-minded, culturally grounded talents.”

Following the opening ceremony, the event featured six research sessions, one theatrical performance, and one roundtable forum. A total of 20 academic papers were presented, covering a wide range of topics, including art history and interdisciplinary exchange, performing arts and digital humanities, visual imagery and arts education, cultural heritage and aesthetics education, digital technology and ecological environment, and cultural creativity and ritual studies. The discussions encompassed interdisciplinary teaching and research, bridging fields from the arts to ecological technology, and showcasing the richness and diversity of contemporary humanities scholarship.

Associate Professor Wei-Chien Ma, the conference organizer and faculty member of the Institute of Art Studies and the Master’s Program in Drama at NCKU, stated that this year’s conference adopts performing arts as both a Method and a Platform, aiming to construct a multidimensional dialogue space that transcends disciplinary boundaries and connects the four dimensions of technology, humanities, arts, and society. She emphasized that the goal of the conference is to promote educational innovation and foster forward-looking interdisciplinary practices through academic exchange and creative collaboration. The event brought together 30 scholars and researchers from Germany, the United States, Vietnam, and Poland, as well as faculty and students from NCKU and various universities across Taiwan. Notably, the conference also incorporated co-learning between teachers and students, with eight students taking the stage as presenters, reflecting NCKU’s strong commitment to integrating research, pedagogy, and creative practice.

The 5th NCKU Theatre Festival “Sincerely Performing Arts – Performing with You”(成心城藝　與你相劇), jointly organized by the Institute of Art Studies and the Master’s Program in Drama, spans both the Spring 2025 (Academic Year 113, 2nd Semester) and Fall 2025 (Academic Year 114, 1st Semester) terms. The second phase of the Theatre Festival’s series of events has recently commenced across the NCKU campus, featuring a diverse and enriching program. Activities include a conference series, performance series, workshop series, lecture series, and a joint course exhibition series. The overall festival is scheduled to continue through January 2026, further expanding interdisciplinary collaboration and creative exchange within the university community.