The new representative of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office (ISECO) in Taipei, Mrs. Simona Halperin, received a warm welcome from TNUA President Prof. Ju Tzong-Ching and other school officials during her visit on October 5.
Mrs. Halperin, accompanied by the office’s cultural affairs director, Ms. Liron Sagi Cohen, donated NT$100,000 as ticket sponsorships for TNUA students and teachers to enjoy the upcoming performances by the Israeli Batsheva Dance Company’s first-ever production in Taiwan.
Prof. Ju noted that Mrs. Halperin’s predecessor, Mr. Raphael Gamzou, is an ardent lover of arts and culture. While heading ISECO in Taipei, Mr. Gamzou maintained friendly interactions and exchange ties with TNUA. He hopes that such friendship can go on under Mrs. Halperin’s leadership at ISECO in Taipei, with collaboration and exchange between both sides in various aspects.
The annual Kuandu Arts Festival invites important groups and individuals to take part in what is now a major arts event in Taiwan. In 2008 and 2009, Mr. Gamzou helped the festival arrange a series of workshops and performances by famous Israeli actress Gila Almagor, as well as an Israeli film festival. Renowned Israeli choreographer Arkadi Zaides and well-known actress-playwright Miki Peleg-Rothstein also took part in the Kuandu Arts Festival. Graduate students from TNUA’s Department of Filmmaking have also participated in the Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival for a few times.
The visitors were shown around the campus, including the Concert Hall, the Dance Theatre, the Experimental Theatre and the Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts. Mrs. Halperin was impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities, as well as the beautiful scenery of the campus. Mrs. Halperin, who assumed the ISECO leadership in Taipei in August, noted that she hopes that in 2011 Israeli artists can be arranged to participate in TNUA’s activities.
Prof. Ping Heng, dean of the School of Dance, noted that a TNUA alumna, Lee Chen-wei, is a member of the Batsheva Dance Company, which will delight the audiences in Taiwan starting October 15. Lee will be featured in the upcoming performances.