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The culture of masks has a long-standing history across the globe. People wear masks to conceal their identities, create a sense of mystery, and take on new roles and personas during celebrations. Mask-related activities are not only a form of entertainment but also a reflection of social values and cultural artistry.

This special exhibition brings together the mask cultures of nine countries: Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Hungary, Germany, and Mexico. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of parades, donning exquisite masks and vibrant costumes, and to create their own personalized masks through hands-on activities, experiencing the charm of mask culture firsthand.

🔺 Exhibition Period: August 2 (Fri) - August 30 (Fri), 2024

🔺 Venue: Shilin Civic Hall, Exhibition Rooms 101 & 201

🔺 Highlights:

[Overview]

Masks have always played an extraordinary role in human history. They are used in religious rituals to strengthen spiritual connections and bring people closer to the divine. In festivals, they help participants shed their identities and celebrate with freedom and joy. In theater, masks represent characters, bridging reality and fantasy. Masks are not only cultural symbols but also a window into the human mind and spirit, carrying the essence of intangible heritage.

Many festivals and carnivals around the world feature the use of masks, such as:

• The MassKara Festival in Bacolod, Philippines, where smiling masks encourage optimism amidst a festive atmosphere of dancing, feasting, and merriment.

• The Phi Ta Khon Festival in Thailand, where residents dressed as colorful

ghosts parade the streets to pray for prosperity and good harvests. • Hungary's Busójárás Mohács Busó-festival, where participants wear blood-red, horned masks to scare locals and tourists alike during February’s end.

• Germany’s Black Forest Carnival, characterized by carved wooden masks of witches and jesters, embracing the theme of chaos and inversion of norms.

• Mexico’s El Día de los Muertos, featuring skull masks, with families welcoming spirits home for a midnight reunion.

• South Korea’s Andong Maskdance Festival, showcasing the Hahoe Mask Dance Drama Performance alongside international mask performances.

• Japan’s Noh Theater, a form of masked stage art with a history exceeding 600 years.

• Indonesia’s Dance Masks, rooted in religious rituals and mythology, reflecting ancient craftsmanship and artistic finesse.

Every culture has its unique take on masks, reflecting its values, history, and creativity. Over time, masks have transcended their role as mere tools, becoming carriers of identity and tradition. Join us and uncover the fascinating stories behind these masks!

Thailand – Phi Ta Khon Festival

Ancient Traditions and Beliefs of Thailand

The Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival (Thai: ผีตาโขน), also known as the Thai Ghost Festival, is a traditional celebration held in Loei Province, Thailand. It honors Prince Vessandorn, believed to be an incarnation of the Buddha. According to legend, the prince brought happiness and prosperity to his people. When he announced his return to the heavens, he wished to be forgotten, leaving the people heartbroken. Moved by their sorrow, the gods allowed the prince to return to Loei. As he was welcomed back by locals and spirits alike, the spirits’ presence frightened the people. Welcomed back by humans and spirits alike, the festival arose to honor his legacy and keep the peace with the spirits who joined the celebration.

Each year between June and July, Loei’s streets come alive during this three-day festival filled with laughter and joy:

• Day 1: Known as Wan Ruam, the festival begins with a ceremony to invite Phra U-pakut, the Mun River’s guardian spirit, ensuring the community’s protection.

• Day 2: The highlight of the festival, a lively parade features participants dressed in ghostly costumes, dancing to music in a carnival-like celebration along the main streets.

• Day 3: The festivities conclude with solemn rituals at temples, where candles and incense are lit, and prayers are offered to spirits and ancestors.

The festival’s iconic masks are a true work of art, crafted from coconut husks and bamboo sticky rice steamers, then painted with vivid designs of fangs and ornate patterns. Festival-goers wear brightly colored costumes and carry clanging metal objects to drive away evil spirits. Accompanied by drums and gongs, the festival transforms the streets into a vibrant and energetic celebration, showcasing the harmonious blend of tradition, faith, and joy.

MassKara Festival

Smiling Through Tough Times The MassKara Festival, held every October in Bacolod, Philippines, began in the 1980s as a way to spread hope during hard times. Back then, Bacolod’s economy heavily relied on sugarcane farming and sugar production. But when the U.S. started using alternatives like fructose, the sugar industry took a major hit. Around the same time, tragedy struck when the MV Don Juan, a ferry carrying hundreds of people returning to Negros Island, sank after a collision, with almost no survivors. The community was heartbroken. To help people move forward and find joy again, the MassKara Festival was born, with "smiling masks" as its iconic theme. Today, the festival takes place every October, giving Bacolod the nickname "City of Smiles."

A Carnival of Colorful Smiles

Today, the MassKara Festival is a colorful celebration filled with vibrant masks and joyful activities. From beauty pageants and street dance competitions to food stalls, sports events, concerts, agricultural markets, and trade fairs, it’s a time for everyone to come together, don smiling masks, and embrace life with music, dancing, delicious food, and nonstop fun on the streets.

Indonesia – Dance Masks

A Glimpse of Ancient Art Indonesia’s traditional masks are wooden masterpieces, crafted with intricate designs that capture the essence of ancient artistry. These detailed masks reflect Indonesia’s rich and unique culture. Locals believe that the sacred dances performed with these masks hold divine energy, making them incredibly powerful. What’s fascinating is that it’s not the performer but the “mask” itself that tells the story, completely reshaping the way audiences see the character.

The Barong Dance: A Tale of Good vs. Evil

In traditional dances, performers wear masks symbolizing humans, gods, or mythical beings, each carrying profound cultural meaning. Among the most renowned are Bali’s Rangda and Barong masks. Representing evil and good respectively, the interplay between Rangda and Barong portrays the eternal balance of good and evil in life, offering a harmonious reflection of the human experience.

South Korea – Andong International Maskdance Festival

Hahoe Mask Dance Drama Performance

The Hahoe Mask Dance Drama Performance, with a history spanning over 800 years, is a unique form of performing art where actors don masks to deliver socially charged performances. These plays often reflect the everyday lives and emotions of ordinary people while critiquing societal injustices and moral corruption. The anonymity provided by the masks allows performers to boldly satirize issues of inequality and unethical behavior.

Hahoe Village in Andong, the origin of this traditional mask dance, inspired the creation of the Andong International Mask Dance Festival in 1997. The festival showcases not only the Hahoe Byeolsingut Talchum but also mask dances from around the world, offering a vibrant and multicultural celebration of this unique art form.

Japan – Noh Theater A Unique Japanese Performing Art Noh Theatre, a traditional Japanese performing art that combines drama, music, and dance, is characterized by its use of masks. With a history spanning over 600 years, it stands as one of Japan’s most distinguished stage arts, earning international recognition alongside Kabuki.

The masks in Noh Theatre aren’t just props—they carry deep meaning. The "Ko-omote" masks represent different female characters, the "Tengu" masks bring mythical creatures and supernatural themes to life, and the revered "Okina" mask, often seen as a divine figure, is thought to bless families with long life and prosperity.

Italy –Carnevale di Venezia

One of the World’s Top Three Carnivals

The Venice Carnival, known as Carnevale di Venezia, stands among the world's top three carnivals, alongside Brazil’s Rio Carnival and France’s Nice Carnival. Among these, the Venice Carnival is particularly unique in its rich history and cultural significance.

The origins date back to 1162, when Venetians celebrated their victory over the Patriarch of Aquileia with a masked party in St. Mark’s Square. This lively tradition grew into a Renaissance-era official event filled with music, dancing, and joy.

By the 17th century, the Baroque-style carnival became an iconic tradition. Nobles wore masks to conceal their identities, freeing themselves from the constraints of social class and profession. This allowed participants to indulge in festivities uninhibitedly. Over time, extravagant masks, elaborate costumes, and ornate headpieces became synonymous with the Venice Carnival, inviting everyone to escape societal boundaries and revel in the celebration of life and joy.

Hungary – Busójárás Mohács Busó-festival

Blood-Red, Furry Horned Masks Each year in late February, the city of Mohács in Hungary hosts the annual Busó Carnival, a vibrant celebration known for its distinctive masks. Participants wear blood-red, long-horned, fur-covered masks, don sheepskin coats, and fasten bell-adorned belts as they parade through the streets, playfully scaring locals and tourists alike.

The origins of this tradition date back to the 16th century, during the Ottoman Empire's occupation of Hungary. According to legend, the people of Mohács fled to marshlands to escape the invaders. One night, a Sokác villager told them, “Don’t be afraid. Soon your life will improve, and you will return home.” Inspired, the townspeople made gruesome masks and fur outfits to scare the superstitious Turkish forces, successfully driving them out. What started as a clever tactic has evolved into a lively carnival to chase away winter and celebrate the coming of spring.

Germany – Black Forest Carnival The Black Forest Carnival in Germany boasts a rich history dating back to 1530. This traditional festival celebrates the banishment of evil spirits and demons believed to appear during the festivities. Participants don eerie, intricately carved wooden masks depicting witches, clowns, and other frightening figures. To ward off malevolent spirits, locals loudly play musical instruments and create an atmosphere of vibrant energy.

Dressed in quirky costumes, people parade through the streets, shouting “Narri, Narro!” (German for “tease” or “fool”) and playfully tricking tourists. Even though the masks might seem scary, the carnival is all about having fun, spreading joy, and embracing the festive spirit!

Mexico – El Día de los Muertos

A Day to Honor and Celebrate the Departed The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a deeply rooted Mexican tradition originating from ancient Indigenous ceremonies and the Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl. To the Aztecs, life was cyclical, and death was merely a part of this cycle. Mourning the deceased was considered disrespectful, as their spirits and memories remained alive in the community.

Welcoming Spirits Back for a Festive Reunion Celebrated from October 31 to November 2, the holiday coincides with Catholic All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Streets and homes are adorned with marigold petals and lanterns to guide the spirits of loved ones home. On October 31, families gather in cemeteries with pillows, food, and drinks, spending the night with their deceased relatives. Graves are decorated with colorful candles, Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead), Papel Picado (intricately cut paper banners), and vibrant sugar skulls. At midnight, the church bell rings, fireworks are set off, and the fragrance of marigolds welcomes the spirits back to join in the celebration.

Key elements include:

• Papel Picado: Brightly colored paper cut into intricate designs like skeletons, used as decorations.

• Pan de Muerto: A sweet bread symbolizing the heart, evolving from ancient Aztec sacrifices to a more symbolic treat.

• Flores de Muerto: Their bold colors and scent are believed to guide spirits back home.

• Calaveritas de az car: Fun, colorful skull-shaped treats or decorations, often inscribed with the names of the deceased.