More Than a Transit Hub - International Airports Become a New Stage for Traditional Taiwanese Art Exhibitions and Performances

Instead of a temple amidst fireworks and firecrackers, it was the concourse of a bustling international airport. Even before the show began, the venue was packed with travelers from around the world. Regardless of their cultural background, everyone eagerly anticipated an extraordinary presentation of Taiwan’s parade formations in folk art.

Cultural Gateways: Bringing Taiwan’s Heritage to Global Travelers

International airports are no longer just gateways to the world; they have transformed into spaces for art and culture. Throughout the year, whether waiting for a flight or in transit, travelers can experience Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage through festival atmospheres, art exhibitions, and traditional performances. The airport becomes a flowing cultural hall, adding unforgettable cultural surprises to every journey.

During Lunar New Year, calligraphy masters often create Spring Festival couplets on-site, offering blessings to travelers and immersing them in festive spirit. Rotating exhibitions allow more artists’ works to be seen by international visitors. Artistic performances and dragon and lion dances weave through terminals, energizing the airport with excitement. Carefully curated cultural events let travelers experience Taiwan’s warmth and heritage even before their journey begins, making the airport a starting point for cultural exchange.

Traditional Parade Formations Take the International Stage

Dragon and lion dances, Third Prince parades, and puppet shows bring the airport corridors alive like a traditional temple fair - though without deities or incense.

Taiwan’s first all-female Eight Generals (Ba Jia Jiang) troupe, Zhen Zong Art Troupe, combines parade and performance to showcase the strength and beauty of traditional Taiwanese parade formations. Their ceremonial female generals move with disciplined grace, demonstrating a blend of power and elegance at Taipei Songshan Airport. In Kaohsiung, the Sanping Community in Neimen organizes local youth to present the grassroots, rhythmic Four Song Jiang Arrays, allowing travelers passing through Kaohsiung International Airport to witness these unique cultural expressions.

“While we’ve performed internationally before, this is our first time presenting to travelers at an airport, and it feels both novel and moving,” said Ming-yang Chen, artistic director of the Taoyuan-based Chenxi Arts troupe. Seeing a terminal full of departing passengers watching their performance, he expressed deep appreciation for their attention. Cheng-lin Li, a troupe member with nearly ten years of martial arts training, shyly added, “I originally learned martial arts for health and self-defense. Now I want more people to see the Four Song Jiang Arrays, which can’t be experienced elsewhere.”

In addition to dynamic performances, there are also exhibitions, with some prints even “coming to life.” Renowned local artist Chih-hsin Lin first collaborated with Professor Jia-ming Day of Taipei National University of the Arts to create “Welcoming Mazu” prints, and then on animated versions, transforming traditional art works into immersive experiences that make viewers feel part of a grand Mazu procession.

Innovative interactive installations, such as the Sound Jump Dragon, break the conventional passive viewing experience. Using microphones to control the lion’s movements, travelers actively participate in the parade, transforming from spectators into participants, making the cultural experience more engaging and meaningful.

Curated Cultural Experiences Make Airports Unforgettable - Travelers Become Taiwan’s “Art Ambassadors”

The EVERRICH Duty Free Shop’s EVERRICH Foundation is dedicated to promoting Taiwanese art and culture and enhancing tourism. Acting as a cultural curator, the foundation brings Parade Formations in Folk Art to airports - from Songshan, Taoyuan, and Taichung to Kaohsiung International Airport - introducing Taiwan’s temple festival culture and parade art to international travelers through meticulous curation and innovative performances.

Shu-wei Tsao, deputy manager of EVERRICH’s Design and Planning Department, which organizes hundreds of local cultural events annually at international airports, explained that through collaborations with artists, governments, industry, and academia, they aim to present Taiwan’s culture in a way that resonates with travelers. The goal infuse art into everyday life and allow every visitor to encounter Taiwan’s culture, creating a deeper emotional connection to the island.

The 2025 EVERART Season, titled “Tau-Tin: Together in Art Parade,” combines interactive installations, craft exhibitions, and signature performances, giving travelers moments to experience the rhythms of Taiwan’s Traditional Parade Formation while waiting for flights. In the future, the foundation will continue to use airports as unique exhibition spaces, providing international exposure and creating the most memorable cultural experiences, turning travelers into Taiwan’s “art ambassadors.”