Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said June 19 that the government is committed to hosting more cultural activities in Europe to showcase diverse aspects of Taiwan.
Lin made the remarks while accompanying a European media group comprising journalists from countries including Czechia, France, Germany and the Netherlands as they met with performers of the local production “Zeelandia” in Taipei City. Underway until June 29 at the Taipei Performing Arts Center, the Mandarin-language musical depicts how the Han, Indigenous Siraya and Dutch cultures intertwined in Taiwan in the 17th century.
The show is a great example of the country’s cultural diplomacy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that it also cooperated with the Ministry of Culture and the National Palace Museum to launch the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative.
During his visit, Lin said Taiwan is not only an island of technology but also an island of culture, which is highlighted by the initiative’s theme of “From Tech to Culture, Taiwan Leads the Future.” The logo features the word “Taiwan” stylized to resemble an integrated chip and shaped like a Roman column to symbolize close cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Europe, he added.
A wide range of events will be held under the initiative, including exhibitions of NPM artifacts in the Czech Republic and France in September and November, respectively, Lin noted.
According to the MOFA, the ministry will continue to promote cultural diplomacy and demonstrate Taiwan’s core values of freedom, openness and inclusivity. It aims to strengthen connections between Taiwan and its fellow democracies and jointly safeguard a democratic global society with dynamic cultural development. (YCH-E)
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