Taipei, April 8, 2026.     The Chang Yung-fa Foundation, together with its affiliated Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (ESO), has announced a landmark three-year collaboration with the National Theater & Concert Hall (NTCH). The partnership underscores a shared commitment to support music and cultural equity, aiming to make Taiwan’s premier theater and concert venues more accessible and inclusive. Under the agreement, the Foundation will sponsor NTCH’s Removable Armrests Seating Program at the National Concert Hall, supporting barrier-free services and audience-friendly policies. Beyond infrastructure, the collaboration will extend to classical music programming, designed to bring symphonic music into everyday life and broaden Taiwan’s cultural reach.

Demie Chung, CEO of the Chang Yung-fa Foundation, highlighted the initiative’s symbolic importance:

“Our first milestone with NTCH is the advocacy and implementation of Inclusive Seating. These seats reflect the principle of ‘Music Without Boundaries, Culture in Harmony.’ Their design—engraved with flowing lines and warm typography—echoes the fluidity of symphonic music and the solemn beauty of the concert hall, while representing our vision of diversity, inclusivity, and cultural equity.”

The Removable Armrests Seating Program places six specially designed seats in spacious areas of the National Concert Hall. With foldable armrests, the seats allow patrons with mobility challenges to transfer easily to standard cushioned seating. Their placement was carefully chosen to balance comfort, accessibility, and acoustic quality, moving beyond the traditional front-row or back-row limitations. Also, the partnership was inaugurated at the 2026 Taiwan International Festival of Arts (TIFA) with the opening program:“2026 TIFA – Sir Bryn Terfel ✕ Jaap van Zweden ✕ESO: Demons & Valhalla Gods”. Led by artist-in-residence Jaap van Zweden, ESO joined forces with internationally renowned Welsh baritone Sir Bryn Terfel for this high-profile performance. Looking ahead, ESO and NTCH plan to present additional major classical programs, positioning Taiwan as a rising force on the global classical stage.

This collaboration is more than a musical alliance; it is a cultural journey. By combining resources and vision, the Chang Yung-fa Foundation and NTCH aim to showcase Taiwan’s vibrant cultural identity to audiences at home and abroad.