Taiwan's TVBS has achieved a historic first for Taiwanese media by becoming the only news organization from the island granted access to report from inside Barcelona's Sagrada Família during the blessing and inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ. The ceremony, which took place last month, completed the central spire of Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece after 144 years of construction, drawing global attention to one of the world's most visited cultural landmarks.
TVBS partnered with Japan's NHK to provide live coverage of the event. NHK's decades-long documentation of the basilica's construction had established a relationship of trust with the Sagrada Família team, enabling the joint coverage. This collaboration marks a significant moment for Taiwan's international media presence, as the completion of Gaudí's vision captivated audiences worldwide.
The TVBS crew filmed in areas rarely accessible to media, including the crypt where Gaudí is buried, architectural workshops, and key structural sections of the basilica. The team conducted interviews with architects and experts involved in the project during preparations for the inauguration. Construction on the church began in 1882, one year before Gaudí took over as chief architect.
Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling joined the reporting team as a cultural ambassador, meeting with architects and experts to explore the basilica through the perspectives of architecture, aesthetics, and cultural heritage. Her involvement added a cultural dimension to the coverage beyond conventional architectural reporting.
The coverage brought together partners from Taiwan's technology and financial sectors. HTC, through its VIVE Arts initiative, contributed its immersive experience "Gaudí, the Atelier of the Divine." The virtual reality program allows audiences to explore Gaudí's architectural world in new ways, transcending geographical and physical boundaries.
TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., which has long supported arts and cultural exchange, sponsored the live broadcast. The company cited values of integrity, innovation, and sustainability in joining the project. The cross-sector collaboration extended Taiwan's cultural advocacy onto the international stage, connecting the 144-year architectural endeavor to audiences in Taiwan and Chinese-speaking communities worldwide.
TVBS integrated AI-powered real-time translation technology throughout the live coverage, facilitating multilingual communication across international production teams. The project showcased Taiwan's ability to connect industries and communities across borders. TVBS, NHK, HTC, and TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., together documented a defining milestone in the Sagrada Família's history.
