Traditional Taiwan temple performers wow France in rare international tour
Traditional Taiwan temple performers wow France in rare international tour
2023-02-23
Traditional Taiwanese temple performers wowed audiences in France, on a rare international tour this February. The custom of Ba Jia Jiang performers is one of the proudest religious traditions in Taiwan. The Ba Jia Jiang represent heavenly generals. Their fierce dances and costumes are iconic. But due to the strict etiquette of the tradition, they very rarely perform overseas. This year, they were invited to the prestigious Carnaval de Nice in France. And after a major fundraising project, they were off to the airport.
This February, the Ba Jia Jiang company of Diyudian Ji-sheng-tang wowed carnival-goers on the streets of Nice, with full-body costumes, magical instruments, and ceremonial flourish.
The company was invited to perform Taiwan’s unique religious tradition at the Carnaval de Nice. French audience members were enthralled.
This is the company’s normal practice space: a tiny temple hall. When the Ba Jia Jiang travel, there are usually many taboos. They must gain permission to travel from their boss, the god Lifu Dashen. But many other taboos are hard to obey while overseas. They had to explain those issues to the god to get individual exemptions. And the company took a small painting of the god to France, symbolizing his company on the trip.
Chen Yi-yuan
Diyudian performer
The god is normally very strict in his demands; the rules must be followed to the letter. It seemed like it would be quite difficult to do that abroad, so he didn’t require us to be strictly vegan. But he did require those of us who wear the generals’ dress to maintain the standards of manners and behavior that we ought to.
Wang Kun-tsan
Diyudian chair of the board
It represents the will of the god, and the importance of art. We manage the Ba Jia Jiang extremely strictly.
The company received the invitation in late December. They considered saying no because of the prohibitive costs of time and money. But eventually, the company members decided to finance the trip from their own pockets. Temple officials were touched when many temple adherents contributed time and money to the fundraising effort. Taiwanese residents of France also supported the project, even bringing the tradition of “Sending a Towel” to France.
Shen Chien-chien
Diyudian French team member
The temple members created this towel. They told us that going to France is tough and they specially made us a French towel, with French writing on it. It’s very interesting and cute. It’s brought Taiwanese culture, Taiwanese spirit, and even the Taiwanese national flag to the French people.
The group of 11 company members – almost all in their early 20s – spent 17 days in southern France, visiting Lyon, Rouen, and Nice. Over more than 10 performances, they brought the unique spirit of Taiwan to Europe in unforgettable style.
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才剛落幕的世界三大嘉年華"法國尼斯嘉年華"，今年出現了很特別的表演團體，是來自高雄地嶽殿的吉勝堂八家將，雖然一度因為時間、經費等考量，不打算出團，但是在各方的努力之下，順利成團，在南法的尼斯等三個城市演出，也順利回到台灣分享他們這段旅程。
二月中，在法國尼斯的街道上，代表台灣的高雄地嶽殿吉勝堂家將團，全套裝容、法器，現場擺陣。
尼斯嘉年華，這次邀請吉勝堂帶著台灣獨特的傳統文化到法國演出，引來不少法國人注目。
平常團員都在這小小的廟廳裡面練習，不過平常家將要出團禁忌可不少，不但得經過主管的李府大神同意，人到國外，不少禁忌難以維持，還特地向神明一一請示，更帶著小型神明畫像供奉，象徵著神明也一起跟到法國。
[[地嶽殿將腳陳奕元]]
“祂平常其實對我們的要求都很嚴格，就是一絲不苟，可能想說大家出國也比較不方便，所以也沒有特別要求吃素。祂還是很要求我們裝將人員該有的水準、該有的行為舉止。”
[[地嶽殿主委王焜燦]]
“這是代表神的意志，也代表藝術的重要性，我們的八家將管理非常地嚴格。”
12月底接到來自法國邀請時，因為時間、經費等考量，一度不打算參加，但最後團員仍決定自掏腰包參與。而更讓廟方感動的，是不少信徒得知消息，也是有錢出錢、有力出力，當地台僑也大力支持，連傳統廟會有的"送毛巾"文化，也一起帶進法國。
[[地嶽殿法國團員沈芊芊]]
“信徒們也是製作這個毛巾，告訴我們說，去法國也是說辛苦了，特別製作這個法國版的毛巾，然後上面就還有寫法文這樣，很有趣很可愛。不只是把台灣文化，還有把台灣這個精神還有這個國旗，可以帶給法國民眾。”
一行人幾乎都是20歲出頭年輕人，11名團員、17天走遍里昂、盧昂與尼斯等南法城市，超過10場的演出，用最在地的文化，跟國際交流。
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