A new dance performance, inspired by the Taiwanese folk religion — the sea Goddess “Mazu”, premiered this Saturday and Sunday in Taipei City. 【 Mazu-Sea Goddess 2009 】 was presented by Ko & Dancers founded by choreographer Jessie Fan Ko and renowned photographer and visual artist, Si-Chi Ko.

Mazu , as one of the mother deity, plays an important role in the polytheistic tradition of Taoism and folk religion in Taiwan . She is an indigenous deity of the sea who protects East Asians who are associated with the seafaring and being widely worshipped morn than one thousand year in the migrant communities elsewhere with sizeable populations in the coastal areas around southern Asia .

According to the legend, Mazu's moral name is Lin Moniang (960-987 AD). In her teenage, she wore red garments and stood on the shore to guide boats home, even in the harsh weather. A miracle just came up in her dream that she had tried hard to save her father and brothers in the storm at sea. At the age of 28, she flew to heaven and transformed into a sea-goodness in the folk religion in Taiwan .

In past 20 years, Mrs. Ko successfully conjures and renovates Dun-Huang into a new dance style “Vu.shon” which means “dancing thought”. This year she adopted and presented Mazu's whole life story in Ko & Dancers' new dance performance 【 Mazu-Sea Goddess 2009 】 to address her admiration for Mazu. It was also valuated a blending Chinese tradition with a contemporary perspective. What deserves to be mentioned was that two dancers who came from Minzu University of China also presented "Thousand Miles Eye" and "With the Wind Ear" who were well-known as Mazu's guardians in this dance performance.

Since typhoon Morakot just headed toward Taiwan on Aug.7, the originally scheduled Friday evening performance was cancelled, and the other 3 still remained on Aug.8-9. Despite the harsh weather, large audience warmly applauded for Ko & Dancers' 【 Mazu-Sea Goddess 2009 】 successful performances.

•  Performance Times

Aug.8 ( Sat. ) 14 ： 30 & 19 ： 30

Aug.9 ( Sun. ) 14 ： 30

•  Venue

The National Theater and Concert Hall

•  Ticket Information