Legacy was created by internationally renowned choreographer LIN Hwai-min when Cloud Gate was five years old in 1978.

An homage to the pioneers of Taiwan, who braved the ocean to settle on the island in the 17th century, Legacy opens with a ritual in which the dancers offer incenses to their ancestors. After the worship, they undress their contemporary clothes, reveal traditional peasant garments worn underneath, and start to enact their ancestors’ journey: Homeland, Crossing the Black Water, Taming the New Land, Joy in the Wilderness, Death and Rebirth, Planting Rice Sprouts and, finally, Celebration.

With a minimum of stage props and maximum energy of the dancers, Legacy achieves magnificent beauty of epic theater. The work has been presented worldwide with 174 performances and is widely acclaimed as a masterpiece of choreography.

Even to a westerner who has never been to Taiwan, Legacy is a moving document. An organic synthesis of modern and traditional styles.... The raw energy that rolls off the stage is as stunning as a cracking whip. Also is praised as “The audience gave the company a rousing, standing ovation. This is the result of LIN’s evocative choreography as well as the energy and competence of the attractive dancers.” by San Francisco Chronicle   

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Cloud Gate, Legacy is revived and, again, performed with the renowned Ju Percussion Group in 2023.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan

Founded in 1973 by internationally renowned choreographer, LIN Hwai-min, Cloud Gate is acclaimed as “Asia’s leading contemporary dance theater” (The Times), and “One of the finest dance companies in the world” (The Globe and Mail). While touring extensively worldwide, Cloud Gate holds regular seasons in theaters at home, and stages annual free outdoor performances in cities and villages of Taiwan, drawing an average of 30,000 people per performance. From 2020, CHENG Tsung-lung succeeded LIN as the artistic director of Cloud Gate.

Ju Percussion Group

The Ju Percussion Group (JPG), founded by percussionist JU Tzong-ching in January 1986 is the earliest professional percussion group in Taiwan. To date, the group has played in 34 different countries around the world, cultivating more than 150,000 percussion learners by means of its instruction system. Dedicated to performance, education and percussion promotion, JPG’s collaboration with Cloud Gate on the production of Legacy not long after its inception also influenced the course of the group’s development as well as professional operation model.

Founder & Choreographer / LIN Hwai-min

Music / CHEN Da, CHEN Yang, LEE Tai-hsiang, Ju Percussion Group

Lighting Design / LIN Keh-hua

Props Design / SHI Sung

Costume Design / LIN Ching-ju