"25 White Roses of Qijin" is a cross-disciplinary international musical theater production, inspired by the tragic 1973 ferry accident between Qijin and the Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone, which claimed the lives of 25 young female factory workers. The piece is led by artistic director Chen Hsin-I, recipient of the 2022 Kaohsiung Arts Award, in collaboration with internationally renowned Malaysian composer and music artist Ng Chor Guan. The visuals are crafted by Wang Yi-Sheng, winner of the 2022 WSD World Stage Design Exhibition Professional Video Design Grand Prize, while stage design is helmed by award-winning architect Chao Chien-Ming, recognized with the National Award for Outstanding Construction. Over three years of meticulous field research, the creative team unearthed sound elements tied to collective memory and emotions, weaving them into a deeply resonant exploration of life, land, and identity.
The performance unfolds in three acts—"Trajectories," "Choices," and "Homecoming"—blending soundscapes, documentary visuals, Butoh-inspired movement, and spatial aesthetics. Through an intricate interplay of physical, auditory, and visual storytelling, the production manifests contemporary performing arts' cross-disciplinary essence. This powerful retelling ensures that the stories of these women transcend the moment of the shipwreck and are no longer shrouded in fearsome folklore. The stage extends time and space, immersing the audience in voices of family, the echoing waves, and the cyclical sounds of departing and returning ships. Using "25"—a symbol deeply embedded in the hearts of Kaohsiung residents—the narrative follows the women's paths of leaving home for work, their pivotal moments of choice, and ultimately their return to various forms of "home." On the 50th anniversary of this tragic event, this production commemorates and honors the resilience and contributions of the women who upheld Taiwan’s economic boom through their unwavering strength.
In the 1960s, the government established Export Processing Zones (EPZs) to boost foreign trade and generate foreign exchange through tax-free export incentives. When the Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone was launched, it employed 110,000 workers, an astounding 100,000 of whom were women. Behind the impressive economic miracle of Taiwan's rapid growth lies the unacknowledged hard work and sacrifices of countless women. The tragic 1973 ferry accident between Qijin and the Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone, which claimed the lives of 25 young female factory workers, serves as the central narrative of "25 White Roses of Qijin." During Taiwan's economic boom, many young women crossed seas to Kaohsiung to work in the EPZs, shouldering family financial burdens. Fearing wage deductions for tardiness, they crowded onto an overloaded ferry, leading to the fatal accident that took 25 vibrant lives.
This production pays tribute to these women and their contributions to Taiwan's economic growth through the lens of this tragic event. After three years of intensive field research and the collection of sound elements deeply tied to public memory and emotions, the work transforms this sorrowful historical incident into a reflective exploration of human values and aspirations for the future. "25 White Roses of Qijin" seeks to ensure that these stories are never forgotten. It reimagines the past as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the pursuit of justice. By honoring the sacrifices of the young women who supported their families and contributed to Taiwan's economy, the piece sheds light on that era and its untold stories, turning their legacy into a force for awareness and change.
Producer |
Chen Hsin-I |
Director |
Ng Chor Guan |
Stage Design |
Chao Chien-Ming |
Performing Ensemble |
Neo-Classical Chamber Ensemble |
Collaboration Team
Neo-Classical Chamber Ensemble
Chao Chien-Ming Architects & Planners
Producer
Chen Hsin-I
Director
Ng Chor Guan
Stage Design
Chao Chien-Ming
Performing Ensemble
Neo-Classical Chamber Ensemble
