Traditional performing arts initiatives expand through children's theater in Taiwan

Traditional performing arts initiatives are expanding across Taiwan through specialized children's theater programs designed to preserve cultural heritage.

In Matsu, the Meishi Arts and Culture Center hosted the ‘Shang Xi Lo’ parent-child picture book theater. The event featured diverse performances including puppet shows, hand puppetry, and Min Dong dialect storytelling. Programs such as ‘The Legend of Golden Island’ integrated local language and folklore to connect younger generations with regional identity through interactive experiences.

Simultaneously, the ‘2026 Children's Gezaixi—Parent-Child Theater Tour’ is traveling nationwide. A scheduled stop at Chiayi Cultural Park on October 3 features performances by the Tang Mei-yun Opera Troupe, alongside hands-on activities like traditional makeup, puppet manipulation, and woodworking. Organized by the Taiwan Opera Promotion Foundation and the National Center for Traditional Arts, the tour aims to foster an early appreciation for opera and traditional arts through immersive storytelling and creative workshops.