After much anticipation and hype, a group of “Orange Devils” finally performed outside the Presidential Office on Oct. 10 to celebrate the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) with youthful energy and artistry.
With their popular nickname stemming from their iconic school color, the performers are members of the Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School (SHS) marching band and honor guard. They arrived in Taiwan on Oct. 5, and had taken part in a whirlwind of activities, including pop-up shows, impromptu face-offs and visits to Taiwan’s landmarks.
After the dinner banquet to celebrate their arrival, the dedicated students and their chaperones were already braving the rain to mark positions for their performance on the ground outside the Presidential Office.
On Thursday morning, the band performed at the Grand Hotel, where they stayed, and visited the Taipei First Girls’ High School.
They then rehearsed outside the National Concert Hall and were treated to Taiwan’s popular Boba tea by Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃).
Rehearsals continued on Friday in poor weather, and the Japanese students met fellow performers, including members of Taiwan’s military.
The students, dressed in their signature orange uniforms, and their chaperones were then greeted by Tsai herself at the office.
The students took it easy with their public appearances Saturday and spent time visiting Taipei 101, Taiwan’s tallest skyscraper.
Sunday saw the Japanese contingent put on an impressive preshow alongside the marching band and honor guards from Taipei First Girls High School and Taichung’s Stella Matutina Girls’ High School.
The spirited performance was sparked by the colors of their schools, but the students also engaged in a friendly competition that entertained passersby.
Following days of prep, the Orange Devils put up a stellar and memorable performance for Taiwan on Oct. 10 in front of international guests and dignitaries.
After sweeping the nation by storm with their National Day performance, the Kyoto students boarded a plane the same day to return home.
They are returning to schoolwork and mid-terms, and were not sure how well prepared they are.
The students said they tried studying for mid-terms during their free time at the hotel, but could still stumble on questions they are not ready for, in which case they will answer with the slogan of their visit: “Japan-Taiwan Friendship ‘Always Here’.”
Before the group boarded the plane, the General Assembly of Chinese Culture who invited the school to Taiwan presented the students with a commemorative stamp album printed with photos taken during the students’ visits in Taiwan.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel