INTERVIEW/'Taiwan Culture in Europe' campaign forges closer ties: Official

Taipei, Dec. 20 (CNA) The "Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025" initiative has successfully showcased Taiwan's freedom, openness and diversity, via cultural events in Europe, a senior Taiwanese diplomat has said.

Eric Huang (黃鈞耀), head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Department of European Affairs, said the initiative, launched this year together with the Ministry of Culture and the National Palace Museum (NPM), has held more than 70 art festivals, music fairs, dancing and singing performances in 26 European countries.

Among the highlights of the months-long project were the NPM's "100 Treasures, 100 Stories: Treasures from the National Palace Museum" exhibition in the Czech Republic, marking the first overseas showing of its most iconic artifact, the Jadeite Cabbage, since 2014.

The museum, known for its collection that offers a comprehensive record of Chinese history spanning thousands of years, also held a separate exhibition in Paris last month, exploring the cultural and historical significance of dragons across Asia.

"The goal of the year-round campaign is to link Taiwan and Europe further via culture and art," Huang said, adding that culture is "a shared language that transcends borders."

"The essence of Taiwanese culture is its openness, diversity, depth, and vitality," Huang told CNA on Tuesday.

Only by embracing democracy, freedom, and human rights has Taiwan been able to give birth to such a creative and diversified culture, Huang added.

One example that exemplifies Taiwan's cultural fusion is artist Xie Sheng-min (謝省民), who MOFA invited to stage a woodblock printmaking exhibition in the country's only diplomatic ally in Europe, the Holy See, in September.

Born and raised in a Catholic family, Xie grew up exposed to Taoist goddess Mazu culture as he lived near the Chaotian Temple in Yunlin County's Beigang Township.

As such, his works are a combination of Taiwanese religious beliefs and Catholicism, which exemplify the spirit of peace and freedom, Huang said.

Another example is the U-Theatre performing arts group, whose shows are known for their combination of theater arts and drumming, and a touch of traditional Japanese culture, according to Huang. Under the MOFA campaign, the troupe performed in Italy in September.

Huang said that this cultural diplomacy not only brought Taiwan and Europe closer, but also helped pave the way for Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) to visit several European countries, including the Czech Republic, Italy and Austria.

Taiwan's foreign ministers rarely make public visits to countries that do not have official diplomatic ties with the nation.

Looking ahead, Huang disclosed that one of the highlights for next year's program will be an exchange between Taiwanese hand puppet groups and their European counterparts.