Thirty Vincentian youths are honing their talent in the performing arts, courtesy of a visiting delegation of youth ambassadors from Taiwan.{{more}}

The summer programme, in its second year of operation, began on Monday, July 11, with an official opening ceremony the following day, and will end on Friday, July 22. Classes are being held at the Technical College.

Delivering remarks at the opening ceremony, Frederick Stephenson, Minister of National Mobilisation, Social Development, the Family, Persons with Disabilities, Youth, Sports and Culture, said: “Youth exchanges of this kind are valuable not only for the lasting friendships… but also for the impact they can have on culture and the development of creativity among the youth.”

He encouraged the visiting delegation to make the most of their time here, and expressed his hope that the experience would prompt its members to incorporate a “tropical dimension” into their practice of art forms.

The seven-member delegation will teach participants a variety of dance forms, including belly dancing, ballroom and hip hop, and the martial art Gong-Fu.

The Taiwanese volunteers are led by Prof. Fen-Chi Cheng, and are university students who dance professionally.

The group members are Ying-Ling Kuo, Sheng Hong Yu, Jung-Hui Hsu, Hsin Chian, Chun-Yan Wang and Tzu-Yi Lin.

Delegation leader Dr Cheng said that she is impressed by the speed with which participants are learning routines, and is looking forward to the eventual cultural exchange of talent and knowledge.

“We really think we are in a dream because geographically we flew a long distance, but psychologically we feel we are [still] very close,” she asserted.

His Excellency Weber Shih, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), said that 2011 is a year of celebration for his homeland, and this exchange is in-keeping with that.

He explained that Taiwan is currently celebrating its centennial, and that it has also been 30 years since diplomatic relations began between his country and SVG.

“We have been enjoying mutually beneficial relations through a wide range of cooperation projects,” said Shih.

The summer programme was first held last year, in response to the Prime Minister’s call for more youth exchanges between SVG and Taiwan.

It focused on the visual and performing arts and craft-making.

In brief remarks, Nigel Scott, deputy director of the SVG Community College, said: “After the benefits seen from last year’s visit, it was only natural that another… would ensue.”

He added that exchanges such as this are a demonstration of how the world has become a “global village”.

The final presentation, which will conclude the summer programme, is scheduled to be held at the Methodist Church Hall on Friday, July 22, from 4:30 pm. (JV)