An opera which is based on the story of a Chinese monk's expedition to Japan to promote Buddhism in the eighth century made its premiere Monday afternoon in Taiwan.
The Jiangsu Culture and Arts Festival was held in Taiwan Monday afternoon at the invitation of the Taiwan Foundation for Humanities and Culture. Wang Yanwen, a member of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and Minister of Publicity Department, led a delegation of cultural and arts from Jiangsu Province to visit Taiwan.
Monk Jianzhen's Journey to Japan, a production by Jiangsu Performing Arts Group, made the full-house Auditorium of the National Taiwan University of Fine Arts in New Taipei roar from time to time.
Jianzhen, an eminent monk in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), made six attempts to visit Japan from 743 to 753 at the invitation of the Japanese monk and emissary Yoei.
He failed to make it the first five times, the last attempt leaving him blind from an infection. However, Jianzhen's resolve to go to Japan did not die and in 753, the strong-minded monk finally made it to Kagoshima, the southwestern tip of Kyushu Island.
During his 10-year stay in Japan, Jianzhen not only introduced Buddhism to the country, he also brought China's calligraphy, architecture, music and medicine to the island country.
This festival is co-sponsored by the Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Exchange Association, the Taiwan New Taipei City Government, and the Taiwan Foundation for Humanities and Culture. The opera Monk Jianzhen's Journey to Japan will be performed in New Taipei City, Taipei City, and the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaohsiung.
In the meantime, the "Exciting Jiangsu" outstanding photography exhibition was held Tuesday morning at the Lin Family Garden in New Taipei City. 102 pieces of work reflected the natural and cultural features of Jiangsu Province and displayed 40 years of achievements in Jiangsu's reform and opening up.
In addition, the festival will include a series of cultural exchange activities such as cultural performances and a seminar on Zhu Ziqing, a famed man of letters in contemporary China.
（Source： Jiangsu International Channel)
