Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) Chairman Tseng Chih-Yung (曾智勇)presented the flag to members of the Taiwanese delegation for the 13th Pacific Arts Festival (FestPAC). Tseng said he hopes the delegation will serve as emissaries both for Taiwan’s rich indigenous heritage and art, as well as cultural diplomats to maintain good relations with other South Pacific nations.
The delegation includes a total of 70 indigenous artists of different fields, who will travel to Hawai’i for this year's festival from June 6 to 16. FestPAC is the world’s largest celebration of Pacific Islanders and is a platform where participating nations gather to share and promote their rich traditions. Held once every four years, it is considered by some as the “Pacific Art Olympics”.
Taiwan’s participating team is a host of distinguished artists and talent, including but not limited to traditional craft artists Yuma Taru (達陸) and Xu Chunmei (許春美), writer Syaman Rapongan (夏曼), British-based artist Yosifu, singer Abis Tanapima (阿布絲), singer-songwriter Utjung Tjakivalid (舞炯恩), and the NaLuWan Dance Troupe.
Not only was artist Yosifu a member of Taiwan’s delegation, but he is one of a few international artists specially selected by the event organizers in Hawai’i. He is expected to display three of his works, “Courage”, “Driftwood” and “Can’t Speak” at the event. “Can’t Speak”, a piece that comments on the harmful past of language and cultural erasure, will also be displayed at the Hawai’i State Art Museum. For him, it is a display of the power of minorities when they stand together and speak out.
Tseng said the culture of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples is a precious treasure. It is the goal of Taiwan’s delegation to share their communities' outstanding artistic works with the world in a global community of cultural exchange.