Taiwan's Tibetan Culture and Art Festival offers free tickets for performances

台灣西藏文化藝術節提供免費表演門票

Two shows feature Tibetan vocalist Ani Choying Drolma and Taiwan performance art group U-Theater


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The 10th Tibetan Culture and Art Festival will offer free tickets starting Friday (Nov. 15) for two performances that offer a glimpse into the spiritual world of Buddhism, the Ministry of Culture said Wednesday (Nov. 13).

The performances are scheduled for Nov. 26 and 27 at the Taiwan Traditional Theater Center. They will feature a collaboration between Tibetan vocalist Ani Choying Drolma and Taiwan performance art group U-Theater.

Limited free tickets for the concerts can be obtained both online and in person. Online ticket registration will begin 10 a.m. Friday, and in-person ticket distribution will begin 9 a.m. Saturday at the Mongolian and Tibetan Cultural Center.

Driven by a desperate need to escape a violent home life, Ani Choying Drolma sought solace and safety in the monastic life, according to Buddhist Door. She imparts blessings of peace and tranquility through Buddhist chants, believing in the transformative power of authentic expression.

Through years of dedicated practice, U-Theater has harmonized Taoist philosophy with physical performance. The troupe is renowned for its distinctive fusion of dance, tai chi, drumming, and martial arts.

This collaboration serves as a bridge between Taiwanese and Tibetan arts and cultures, fostering intercultural understanding and a shared hope for peace. The event aims to transcend linguistic and temporal barriers, inviting audiences to connect on a deeper level through music.

The foundation of Buddhist faith lies in belief and wisdom, according to the Central Tibetan Administration. Nagarjuna, the most important Buddhist philosopher after Buddha himself, once asserted that belief leads to Buddhism, while wisdom leads to enlightenment, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Following the Muslim invasion of India in the 7th century, many Indian Buddhist scholars sought refuge in Tibet. As a result, Tibetan Buddhism absorbed elements of Indian Esoteric Buddhism, per Master Hsing Yun.

The initial introduction of Buddhism to Tibet was met with significant resistance from the Indigenous Bon religion. Through a gradual process of assimilation, Tibetan Buddhism incorporated deities and religious rituals of Bon, shaping its distinctive character.