About bulabulay mun? / how are you?

EARLY BIRD OFFER: limited tickets available – book now to save!*

This visually arresting and deeply moving production tells the story of a community suddenly confronted by the immense power of wind and waves, awakening a heightened awareness of how far they have drifted from nature.

Tjimur Dance Theatre, Taiwan’s premiere contemporary dance company dedicated to exploring and expressing the identity of the indigenous Paiwan people, embarks on its first UK tour.

Choreographed by Baru Madiljin, bulabulay mun? / how are you? draws on the historic Mudan shipwreck incident of 1874 – a traumatic chapter in Taiwanese history, to reflect on the relationship between human actions and their unforeseen consequences.

Through an interplay of traditional Mudan songs and dance, bulabulay mun? seeks to heal historical wounds and revive ancestral memory, embodying the resilience and spirit of the Paiwan people. At its heart is a poetic meditation on our elemental connection to the world, an invitation to attune our senses and rediscover our place within nature.

Part of Dance Umbrella Festival 2025.

*The Early Bird discount will be applied at checkout.

About the artists

Tjimur Dance Theatre was founded in 2006 in Timur, a Paiwan community in Sandimen Township, Pingtung. It is the first professional contemporary dance company in Taiwan dedicated to exploring and expressing Paiwan identity through movement. Recognised as one of Taiwan’s top performing arts groups for fifteen consecutive years, the company is led by Artistic Director Ljuzem Madiljin and Dance Director Baru Madiljin.

With the development of a unique movement methodology known as Tjimur Physical Skills, the company transforms Paiwan cultural memory into contemporary body language, giving shape and voice to the spirit of a living tradition.

Over the past nineteen years, Tjimur has staged more than 150 performances across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, appearing at renowned platforms such as the Cervantino International Festival (Mexico), GUIdance Festival (Portugal), and TANZ – Munich International Dance Festival (Germany).

Their innovative work has earned them nominations for the Total Theatre Awards (UK) and the Taishin Arts Award (Taiwan). In 2018, they launched the Tjimur Arts Festival and the cultural initiative In-depth Exploration of Timur, intertwining community, tradition, and contemporary creation.

http://www.tjimur.com/

Cast & Creatives

Artistic Director: Ljuzem MADILJIN

Choreographer and Costume Designer: Baru MADILJIN

Rehearsal Directors and Performers: Ching-hao YANG, Ljaucu TAPURAKAC

Performers: Sheng-hsiang CHIANG, Tzu-en MENG, Zepulj KAZANGILAN

Technical Coordinator and Lighting Designer: I-shun LEE

Visual Image Designer: Hung-chun WANG

Style Photographers: Jun-yong LIN, Ba Sa-xi

Traditional Song Instructors: Xiao-hui WANG, De-sheng YE, the people from Mudan Township

Director of Photography and Production Supervisor: Maurice LAI Yu-man (HoShunKing Artistic Workshop)

Costume Production: Bi-yun MAI, Lazurite SHATAO