Third Group in the World to Perform in Taipei President’s Palace
The Bratislava Boys’ Choir is the third ensemble in the world to perform in the president’s palace in Taipei.
The Bratislava Boys’ Choir toured to Taiwan 4 - 21 July 2019. The ensemble was hosted by the International Folk Music and Folk Games Festival in Yilan performing a number of concerts in various cities after the event.
At the tour’s outset the choir received a special invitation to perform in the president’s palace in Taipei, the capital. The Bratislava Boys’ Choir is only the third international ensemble to have done so. “This concert was a great experience. We are very happy that our partners acknowledged our choir’s quality in this way. We would like to thank Slovakia’s e
Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan for their assistance in organizing this concert,” says Magdaléna Rovňáková, the conductor.
After an introductory concert the choir moved to the folk festival Yilan with participating ensembles from around the world. The event presents national culture and traditions from different countries and offers networking opportunities.
The boys from Bratislava performed folk song arrangements but also participated in side events like cooking international specialties, learning national dances, or picking and making tea. Notable experiences included a visit to Taipei 101, the third higher tower in the world, a swim in East China Sea, or learning about hand-made paper.
Folk songs were presented in tailored national dress. Of course, a performance of a Taiwan song arrangement from a talented composer Ľuboš Bernáth, Dew Dew Dong, was well received,” says Magdaléna Rovňáková.