With the support of the Ministry of Culture R.O.C. (Taiwan) and the Economic and Cultural Office of Taipei in Spain, the prestigious Taiwanese company Cloud Gate Dance Theatre comes to the Teatros del Canal on 6 and 7 December with 13 Tongues, a spectacular proposal that combines tradition and modernity.
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, this legendary Taiwanese company is touring Europe with the first creation by Cheng Tsung-lung -successor of Lin Hwai-min, founder of the company- who recreates the memories of his childhood in Taipei, combining tradition and modernity in a kaleidoscopic dance piece. According to legend, the term ‘Cloud Gate’ refers to the oldest known dance of the East, a ritual dance dating back some five thousand years.
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is the first contemporary dance company founded in a Chinese-speaking community in the world. Founded in 1973 by choreographer Lin Hwai-min, Cloud Gate is considered by the international press to be “the most important company in Asia” (The Times), and “one of the best dance companies in the world” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung). In addition to regular visits to cities such as New York, London and Moscow, it performs every year outdoors in cities in Taiwan, attracting a minimum of 30,000 spectators at each of the largest dance events on the planet.
13 Tongues was born out of choreographer Cheng Tsung-lung’s memory of a storyteller in Taipei who was called ‘Thirteen Tongues’. The commotion he caused in his neighbourhood when he was a child has been translated into a lively, energetic piece, full of light and colours that recreates life in the street. An immersive journey, through imagination and storytelling, reminiscent of the art of ‘Thirteen Tongues’. The music ranges from Taiwanese folk songs to Taoist chanting and electronic music.
Beginning and ending with the sound of a bell, the music accompanying 13 Tongues ranges from Taiwanese folk songs to Taoist chanting and electronic music. As the religious heritage of ancient Bangka/Wanhua merges with the secular space it is today, time seems to dissolve.
