The MOE has provided a grant to the university to seek and encourage research on Taiwan’s culture and the arts, including dialogue exchange. This year’s conference focused on the interdisciplinary exchange of musicology and literature between France and Taiwan from the perspective of academic and cultural significance. Hundreds of exhibitions, meetings, debates, concerts, screening, performances and workshops, representing cultural diversity were among the conference attractions.

Scholars specializing in Chinese culture, French music, especially those inspired by Chinese culture and sinologists were among this year’s conference participants. Two professors from Taiwan, Dr. Chen Han-jin, from the National Taiwan Normal University’s Department of Music and Dr. Lian Hsian-sheng, from the National Pingtung University’s Department of Music were invited to present keynote speeches.

Following the first day of international conference discussions, musicians from France and Taiwan held joint performances at the university’s Amphithreatre Richelieu featuring a variety of Taiwan and French music. The concert’s repertoire included Mahler’s “The Song of the Earth”, folk songs from Taiwan and work by contemporary French composers and by Taiwan composer, Hsiao Tai-jan.

Celebrations for the “Foreign Cultures Week” were initiated by 46 Paris-based foreign cultural centers and associations. Since its inception, in 2002, the celebration of “Foreign Cultures Week” has become a major event for the international community. One not to be missed.