Taiwan News
Date: 2016-10-02
By: Maggie Huang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Taipei held its first Nuit Blanche event Saturday with artworks and performances presented in the city’s old center, attracting big crowds to the all-night art gala.

Nuit Blanche is an annual all-night arts festival originated in Paris and takes place the first Saturday night of October. During the festival, museums, art galleries and other cultural institutions are typically open all night and free of charge. Originated in 2002, the Nuit Blanche has since spread to over 120 cities around the world.

Through the many stories of politics, culture, everyday life, the 2016 Nuit Blanche Taipei had invited everyone to experience the collective memories of Taipei, and around 200,000 people joined the event on Saturday, Taipei’s Department of Cultural Affairs said.

The “Art night walk” walked people through the Beimen neighborhood, the historic Dadaocheng, and along the eclectic bookstores that flank Chongqing South Street, to reach the 228 Peace Memorial Park and the National Taiwan Museum. The Office of the President also took part in the event and opened itself for the public to visit from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is the first time the Office of the President opened for the public in the night time.     [FULL  STORY]