New Taipei City Government and Council Co-Perform 'Refusing the Royal Marriage' – Invite Public to Watch Gezai Opera on August 9

The New Taipei City Government has partnered with the New Taipei City Council to co-host the 'Elderly Appreciation Gezai Opera.' A press conference was held today (9th) at the Dot Lab on the 3rd floor of City Hall, where councilors made a dazzling appearance in traditional opera costumes. Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan announced that this year’s performance will be 'Refusing the Royal Marriage,' inviting citizens to attend the show at 7:00 PM on August 9 at the Multipurpose Hall on the 3rd floor of New Taipei City Government.

The 115th New Taipei City Elderly Appreciation Gezai Opera will officially open on August 9 at the Multipurpose Hall on the 3rd floor of New Taipei City Government. From right to left in the photo: Councilors Huang Hsin-hua, Chang Chia-ling, Liu Mei-fang, and Shih I-yu performed a short excerpt of Gezai Opera at the press conference. Photo credit: New Taipei City Government Information Office.

Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan stated that the 'Elderly Appreciation Gezai Opera' has now entered its 13th year, making it a signature collaborative event between the city government and council. This year, Councilors Liu Mei-fang, Shih I-yu, Chang Chia-ling, and Huang Hsin-hua will take the stage from the council side, while the city government will be represented by Deputy Mayor Chu Ti-chih, along with Youth Affairs Director Chiou Chao-mei, Hakka Affairs Director Liu Kuan-yin, and Agriculture Director Chen Hsi-hui. The joint performance promises to be spectacular.

At the press conference, Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan revealed that this year’s opera will be 'Refusing the Royal Marriage.' Photo credit: New Taipei City Government Information Office.

Information Director Li Li-chen announced that veteran Gezai opera instructor Huang Mei-ching, who received the '113th Chinese Literary Arts Award – Theater Prize,' has once again been invited as Art Director to guide the performance of 'Refusing the Royal Marriage.' The story centers on Song Hong, a renowned official of the Eastern Han Dynasty, who courageously refuses a royal marriage proposal to uphold loyalty and integrity. As the performance coincides with the Father’s Day weekend, the public is encouraged to attend with family and friends.

The official performance will take place on Sunday, August 9, at 7:00 PM at the Multipurpose Hall on the 3rd floor of New Taipei City Government. Free admission tickets will be available starting Monday, July 13, at noon. Tickets can be collected at the 1st-floor service desk of New Taipei City Government (No. 161, Section 1, Zhongshan Road, Banqiao District), the B1 service desk of New Taipei City Arts and Culture Center (No. 62, Zhuangjing Road, Banqiao District), and the service desk of Xinzhuang Cultural and Arts Center (No. 133, Zhongping Road, Xinzhuang District). Quantities are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out.

Councilors in Gezai opera costumes promoted the event at the Dot Lab on the 3rd floor of New Taipei City Government. From right to left: Councilors Shih I-yu, Huang Hsin-hua, Chang Chia-ling, and Liu Mei-fang. Photo credit: New Taipei City Government Information Office.