London's vibrant Notting Hill district is about to experience a taste of Taiwanese culture with the launch of the 16-day Taiwan Festival on Friday, April 12.

In addition to the bustling Portobello Road Market and picturesque Holland Park, visitors to Notting Hill will soon have the opportunity to embark on a journey to Taiwan.

The Coronet Theatre in the chic neighborhood will serve as the venue for London's first major celebration of Taiwanese culture, offering a diverse program of visual arts, dance, theater, and music. From traditional craftsmanship to cutting-edge technology, the festival will delve into themes such as Taiwanese identity, post-colonial history, and the nuances of lust and desire.

For many of the 30 contemporary artists, storytellers, dancers, and musicians participating, this festival marks their debut in front of a UK audience.

Highlights of the festival include an immersive virtual reality experience by Taipei's innovative Riverbed Theatre, a showcase of Taiwan's contemporary dance scene featuring collectives like Anarchy Dance Company and Hung Dance, and an album launch by multidisciplinary music artist Yujun Wang.

As the festival draws to a close, audiences can look forward to the London premiere of Chou Kuan-Jou's provocative yet playful Tomato, previously a hit at the Edinburgh Festival. Additionally, the facade of the Coronet Theatre will be adorned with a bamboo installation crafted by Taiwanese artist Cheng-Tsung Feng. Photo by Jeremy Kemp, Wikimedia commons.