Taipei, May 13 （CNA） A Taipei city government-sanctioned heritage site dedicated to Tsai Jui-yueh, known as the matriarch of Taiwans modern dance, was re-opened Sunday in a grand ceremony. 

Frank Hsieh, who is set to be the ruling Democratic Progressive Partys candidate for the next presidency, led a group of literary figures and celebrities in unraveling a ribbon tied to the gate and entering the facility to mark the re-opening of the Tsai Jui-yuen Dance Research Institute, also known as the Rose Heritage Site, in a quiet back alley near Taipeis bustling Zhongshan N. Road. 

Kao Chun-ming, a Presbyterian minister who returned to Taiwan from Japan aboard the same boat with Tsai after the end of the 50-year Japanese colonial rule of Taiwan in 1945, led all the guests present at the ceremony in praying for the heritage sites well-being. 

Shortly afterwards, President Chen Shui-bian showed up at the ceremony and presented a posthumous award for Tsais lifelong achievement, which was accepted by Tsais son Lei Ta-peng. 

After studying dance in Japan, Tsai embarked on a career in dance instruction, founding the Chunghua Dance Research Institute in 1953 －－ Taiwans first modern dance studio which has nurtured many outstanding dancers and is now called the Tsai Jui-yueh Dance Research Institute. 

Internationally recognized as a brilliant choreographer and performer, Tsai choreographed more than 500 dance pieces throughout her life and was versatile in ballet, modern dance and traditional folk dance. 

President Chen praised Tsai as an esteemed dance educator and a pioneer promoter of modern dance in Taiwan. Chen also expressed his admiration for Tsais courage and tenacity as Tsai maintained her exuberant vitality and courageously carried on alone after her husband, a poet, was arrested and later exiled for political reasons during Taiwans infamous white terror era in the 1950s. Tsai herself was also imprisoned for more than two years. 

Upon release, Tsai went on to raise her son by herself while going full steam pursuing her dance career. "With her feminine vitality and deep love of dance, Tsai had opened one new vista after another for dance in Taiwan," Chen added. 

Tsais studio, originally a dormitory for government officials during the era of Japanese colonial rule, was badly damaged by fire in late 1999. With concerted efforts of the public and private sectors, the building has now been restored to its original glory. 

Chen said the building itself may not be very special. "But the building used to be a literary and arts salon and it bears witness to Tsais lifelong dedication to dance. Its the reason why we have strived to preserve this heritage site," he added. （By Sofia Wu）