TECO Atlanta

On October 11, 2005, Columbus, Georgia welcomed 30 Taiwanese cultural performers, all from one of Taiwan’s twelve aboriginal tribes, from the Formosa Aboriginal Song and Dance Troupe Columbus invited the troupe from Taiwan to perform at the Springer Opera House. The troupe has also performed in New York and in Washington D.C. They are critically acclaimed by the New York Times and in countries across the globe. Their engaging performances are marked with complex harmonies and dramatic ritual dances. The audience of 250 people included Mayor Bob Poydasheff and Michael Gaymon, president of the City of Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

Director General R.C. Wu addressed the audience and thanked the City of Columbus for their kind generosity in providing the beautiful Springer Opera House for the Taiwanese troupe to represent the culture of Taiwan’s aboriginal people to the community of Columbus. He also thanked Michael Gaymon and the Chamber of Commerce for generously paying the expenses for the troupe to come to Columbus.

Mr. Wu went on to explain some of the policies and government protections set in place for the preservation Taiwan’s many aboriginal peoples, such as the work of the Council of Aboriginal Affairs and the Council for Cultural Affairs. Formosa Aboriginal Song and Dance Troupe itself is a grassroots effort to bring social awareness to the vibrant aboriginal culture. Director General Wu promised to use this well-received event as a springboard for an increase in cultural exchange between Taiwan and its friends Columbus, GA.

台灣原舞者在哥倫布市大跳山地舞展現原住民力與美

台灣「原舞者」舞團一行30人本月11日應邀在喬州哥倫布市(Columbus)歷史最悠久的Springer Opera House歌劇院演出，在90分鐘的歌舞表演中，以高水準的和音及自然原始舞步，展現台灣原住民傳統文化，獲得哥倫布市市長波達薛夫夫婦在內的兩百餘位美國觀眾熱烈掌聲。

哥倫布市商會會長蓋門更是慷慨斥資邀請原舞者前來表演，除負責演出場地、招待食宿交通外，並資助該團團費，給予最高禮遇。吳處長於當晚6時在歌劇院大廳為訪團舉行歡迎酒會，哥市波達薛夫市長、商會主席蓋門、市政府主任秘書威爾森夫婦及市議員韓特夫婦等當地政、商及文化界人士及僑界代表近百人參加。吳榮泉於酒會致詞時曾介紹台灣原住民分佈情形及台灣照顧原住民的各項政策與作為，對哥倫布市政府及商會慷慨熱誠接待訪團表示謝意，承諾繼續積極加強雙邊經貿關係及增進姊妹市等城市交流。

波達薛夫市長隨後致詞並表達盼與台灣一個城市締結為姊妹市，以增進哥市人民對台灣的瞭解。吳榮泉處長則答應促成台中市與哥倫布締盟。

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(2) 亞特蘭大僑務委員何智達、中華文化學校校長許正聰、雅韻舞蹈社社長劉碧蘭、
何少白及儲美芝曾趨車南下向我團加油
Leaders of Taiwanese Community from Atlanta attend the performance

(3) 吳榮泉處長夫婦與波達薛夫市長夫婦及何智達僑務委員合影
DG and Mrs. Wu, Mayor and Mrs. Poydasheff and Commissioner Dr. Raymond Ho

(4) 表演結束後波達薛夫市長夫人上台贈禮我團員
Mrs. Stacy Poydasheff greets the delegation and gives gifts to them

(5) 吳榮泉處長夫婦與哥市商會蓋門會長夫婦合影
DG and Mrs. Wu and President of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Mike Gaymon and Mrs. Gaymon

(6) 蓋門會長上台向我團員致贈紀念品
President Gaymon goes on the stage to dance with the performers

(7) 新聞組左容娣秘書負責接待訪團並與部分團員合影
Secretary Tzo (far right) receives the Delegation