Taiwan’s Cloud Gate Theater made a striking debut at the Helsinki Festival, bringing its decade-old signature work “13 Tongues” to Nordic audiences for the first time. Performances from August 27 to 30 sold out instantly, prompting an emergency fourth show that also sold out — a clear sign of strong local appetite for Taiwanese performing arts.

At Dance House Helsinki, 11 dancers performed the 65-minute piece without pause, clad in neon costumes that evoked the energy of Taiwan’s temple courtyards. Clapping, stomping, and chanting spirit incantations, they fused body and voice into a driving rhythm rooted in folk ritual. 

Before the premiere, Taipei-born Representative to Finland Freddy Lim (林昶佐) greeted the audience in Taiwanese and presented flowers to Cloud Gate artistic director Cheng Tsung-lung (鄭宗龍), later congratulating the dancers on stage. Cheng said the audience’s applause gave the company great encouragement, noting how intense focus and warm feedback made the rigors of international touring worthwhile.

Finnish broadcaster Yle praised the production for blending Asian and Western dance traditions, calling Cloud Gate the most representative modern dance company in the Chinese-speaking world and highlighting “13 Tongues” as Cheng’s breakthrough. Inspired by a legendary 1960s Bangka street storyteller, nicknamed “Thirteen Tongues,” the work translates everyday struggles into bold movement, with music by Lim Giong (林強) and temple chants, Cheng recalls, approved after he cast three divination blocks for permission. 

Festival director Johanna Freundlich said organizers fell in love with the piece at first sight, confident it would resonate in Finland. After Helsinki, Cloud Gate continues its European tour with “13 Tongues” and “Sounding Light” in Dresden and Turin.