Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Comments on the Finalist 

The central theme explores the ongoing ambiguity and embarrassment inside and outside Taiwan’s society regarding its identity and name. The theater company embraces the challenge of this mission, along with its complexities and difficulties. Three actors alternate on stage and engage in dialectical exchanges, delivering the performance at a brisk pace that balances seriousness and humor, establishing a fundamental tone. They present various stances from objective and diverse perspectives while expressing their genuine and subjective circumstances in life. At the same time, they avoid turning the subject into political propaganda or inciting intense confrontations between differing social views. Ultimately, this allows both Taiwanese and non-Taiwanese audiences to better understand their social context, strengthening the connection between drama and society.” (Commentator: ROAN Ching-Yueh)

Artwork Introduction

How do we define Taiwan? What role does Taiwan play in the global arena? After two years of discussions, the National Theater & Concert Hall embarked on a collaborative venture with Rimini Protokoll director Stefan Kaegi, co-producing This is not an Embassy together with Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne in Switzerland. This production employs Rimini Protokoll’s signature approach—engaging with experts in everyday life. On stage, three representatives from Taiwan share their personal stories and sense of identity. Each night, the performance showcases the opening of a fictional embassy. In this opening ceremony, they discuss international relations and pose the question: What represents a nation?

About the Artist

Stefan Kaegi, the concept creator and director of this production, is a member of Rimini Protokoll. He frequently employs creative methods like fieldwork and public auditions to involve non-professional performers, who are “experts” with distinct backgrounds, allowing them to share their voices on stage or in public settings through documentary theater.

WEN Szu-Ni, the dramaturg and assistant director for this production, spent six years living and studying in (East) Berlin. Every day, she rediscovers her identity through foreign cultures and clumsily builds communication and trust beyond language, rooted in her own and others' innocence and cultural insensitivity.

Rimini Protokoll, the lead creative team for this production, was established in 2000 by Helgard Haug, Stefan Kaegi, and Daniel Wetzel. Renowned for their unique perspectives and realistic creative methods, their work reflects the realities of the world and expands the concept of theater.

Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne, the production team behind this piece, was originally designed by artist and architect Max Bill for Switzerland’s National Exhibition in 1964. It now houses four theater spaces and serves as a creative hub for French theater in the French-speaking region of Switzerland.

The National Theater & Concert Hall (NTCH), also the production team behind this work, was inaugurated in 1987, signifying a crucial advancement in the professionalization of performing arts in Taiwan.

Production Team

Creative Team

Concept & Director｜Stefan Kaegi

Performers｜Debby Szu-ya Wang、David Chien-kuo Wu、Kuo Chia-yo
Dramaturgy & Deputy Director｜Wen Szu-ni

Set Design｜     Dominic Huber

Video｜Mikko Gaestel

Music｜Polina Lapkovskaja (Pollyester)、Debby Szu-ya Wang、Heiko Tubbesing

Research Taiwan｜Lo Yin-ru

Video Shooting｜Philip Lin

Light｜Pierre-Nicolas Moulin

Co-dramaturgy｜Caroline Barneaud

Assistant Director｜Kim Crofts

Assistant Set Designer｜Matthieu Stephan (trainee)

First Nation Representative ｜Canglah-lahok

Choreographer in Video｜Hana Azula

Outside eyes｜Aljoscha Begrich、Viviane Pavillon