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On the evening of July 8, Academia Sinica hosted Classics Night, a special cultural event held during its 36th Convocation. Featuring a performance by the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO), the event brought together Academicians from Taiwan and abroad, Academia Sinica researchers and staff, and students from the Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP). Amid the Convocation's intensive four-day program, the concert offered participants an opportunity to connect beyond academic discussions through a shared musical experience, adding a distinctive humanistic dimension to the meeting.

TPO Weaves Together Classical Masterpieces and Taiwan's Cultural Heritage

The concert was conducted by Paul Tien-Chi Lin, Chief Conductor of the TPO, with violinist Shien-Ta Su as the featured soloist. TPO worked closely with Academia Sinica to curate a program combining internationally acclaimed orchestral works with music inspired by Taiwan’s heritage, giving participants an opportunity to revisit Taiwan’s cultural landscape through music.

The evening opened with John Williams’s Olympic Fanfare, followed by Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance Marches; Bao Yuankai’s Selections from Musical Sketches of Taiwan—Lukang Temple Gathering, The Bell of Longshan Temple in Lukang, and Dabang Festival; and Medley of Classic Movie Songs from the 1990’s arranged by John Van Deursen. The second half featured Dmitri Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Pablo de Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen, and The Moon Represents My Heart, arranged by Che-Yi Lee. The program concluded with Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld Overture.

By weaving together classical masterpieces and melodies deeply rooted in Taiwan’s cultural history the concert offered international scholars an opportunity to experience Taiwan’s diverse heritage while bringing together scholarship, music, and the humanities.

TIGP and TIGP-X Expand Taiwan's Global Research Network

Academia Sinica also invited students from the TIGP to attend the concert, fostering interaction among scholars of different generations through artistic exchange while highlighting Academia Sinica’s long-standing commitment to cultivating international research talent.

Established in 2002, TIGP partners with 10 Taiwanese universities to offer 14 doctoral programs and has long provided advanced training for outstanding doctoral students from around the world. Following an increase in doctoral student support in 2023, both applications and enrollment rose significantly, reflecting Taiwan’s growing appeal to international researchers.

Launched in 2023, the TIGP Extension (TIGP-X) operates through a researcher-to-researcher collaboration model, inviting doctoral students from overseas universities to conduct research at Academia Sinica. In its first three years, the program has welcomed 64 young scholars from leading universities across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, with research spanning the humanities, life sciences, mathematics, and the physical sciences. France’s École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales and Fulbright Taiwan have signed MOU with Academia Sinica and now send students to Taiwan annually. Together, TIGP and TIGP-X continue to strengthen Taiwan's global research partnerships while expanding its international talent network.

Music Enriches Academic Exchange Across Borders

Classics Night not only added a rich artistic dimension to the 36th Convocation of Academia Sinica but also reflected Academia Sinica’s enduring commitment to fostering dialogue across the sciences, the humanities, and the arts. By bringing together academic exchange and musical performance, the event created opportunities for scholars from different countries and generations to connect, showcasing Taiwan's strengths in both scientific research and cultural vitality.