Free Fun: 'Gamelan' Percussion Exhibition Debuts at Taipei Children's Art Festival

The 2026 Taipei Children's Art Festival is offering a free, interactive exhibition titled "Gamelan Fun!" at the Taipei Performing Arts Center. Running until August 2, the event provides a unique opportunity for families to experience Indonesian Gamelan music.

Curated by Professor Wang Ying-fen of National Taiwan University's Graduate Institute of Music, the exhibition centers on the traditional Balinese music of Gamelan. It includes an interactive percussion area with instruments like the Anklung, allowing children to directly engage with the music without needing to read sheet music. This hands-on approach encourages them to feel and hear the distinct South Asian rhythms through their bodies and ears.

The exhibition showcases various traditional instruments, including bronze keyed instruments and gongs. Visitors can scan QR codes next to each instrument to listen to sound samples on their mobile phones, gaining an understanding of each instrument's role within an ensemble. Visual aids, including text, images, and videos, further explain the playing methods, attracting many parents and children eager to participate.

This free exhibition is a welcome addition for parents seeking summer activities for their children. It offers a relaxed way to explore exotic percussion music without the need for formal musical training, making it an accessible and engaging cultural experience.

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Gamelan Fun!