One of the "friendship ambassadors" to be posted at Taiwan Pavilion during the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai struts her stuff at the press conference Monday in Taipei. Central News Agency

The largest group of performing artists ever to visit the mainland from Taiwan will perform in an unprecedented "Taipei Culture Week" in Shanghai in June, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin announced Tuesday.

Hau will lead seven performing arts groups to perform at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, as a means of promoting Taiwan to the world.

Over 1,000 performers will demonstrate various arts and creativity during the festival that will run from June 3 to June 28, Hau said at a news conference to announce the event.

On June 16 - the day of the traditional Dragon Boat Festival and "Taipei Day" at the World Expo - the Taiwanese opera company Ming Hwa Yuan will perform its signature production Legend of the White Snake, known for its dramatic use of stage technology.

Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Yong-ping said that the planned Taipei Culture Week in Shanghai will feature many activities, including a performing arts festival, a visual arts exhibition, a cultural seminar, a cultural and creativity exhibition, a film festival, and an outdoor exhibit introducing the Taipei International Flora Expo.

In addition to Ming Hwa Yuan, other performing groups participating in the event include the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, the Taipei Chinese Orchestra, the Ping-Fong Acting Troupe, the Guo Guang Opera Company, the Contemporary Legend Theater, and the U-Theatre.

Meanwhile,Wang Chih-kang, chairman of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), said the Taiwan Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai, will open on May 1 as scheduled.

Wang said at a press conference Tuesday that the Taiwan Pavilion, which is able to accept 4,300 visitors per day, is expected to attract a total of nearly 800,000 visitors during the 185-day exhibition period.

The Taiwan Pavilion will use multimedia displays to convey the building's theme - "Mountain, Water & Lantern of the Heart".

The pavilion consists of a seamless glass exterior shaped like a sky lantern that houses a huge LED globe representing the "Heart of Taiwan." Spectacular views of the island will be projected onto the globe.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 04/14/2010 page3)