Based on the traditional rites of celebrating the coming of sixteen, the Tainan City Government has devised the “Sixteen-year-old Festival,” which is also a platform for young people to take part in artistic and literary activities. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che attended the event’s press conference on the 22nd of July and watched brilliant performances put on by young people. He encouraged young people to gain valuable life experience when watching, preparing, and playing a role in plays, or even upon conducting community services.
Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che indicated that nowadays though sixteen-year-olds are still in school and not considered mature; in fact they think, and are far more capable of assuming more responsibility than expected. The very idea at the beginning of the Sixteen-year-old Festival was meant to re-interpret this traditional ritual with a modern touch, so that the coming of age can be celebrated not just through traditional ceremonies, but also through dance, theater, and music. The coming of age ceremony is given a brand new image.
According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the sixth “Sixteen-year-old Festival” is on the theme of “tshut-thuat,” which means “progressive aspirations (ambition to be better, to progress).” Young people will be able to demonstrate their passion via various approaches such as seminars, hip-hop performances, a cultural and art fair, joint dance performances of high schools and vocational high schools, etc.
For more information, please visit the website of Tainan Cultural Center.