National Day celebrations to showcase Taiwan's diversity, vitality: Speaker

Taipei, Oct. 2 (CNA) Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) said Friday that this year's Republic of China National Day celebrations will feature a wide range of programs showcasing the diversity, vitality and unity of Taiwanese society.

Han, who also serves as chairman of the National Day Preparatory Committee, made the remarks at a press conference held at the Legislative Yuan and attended by various officials, including Taitung County Magistrate Yao Ching-ling (饒慶鈴) and Deputy Interior Minister Wu Tang-an (吳堂安).

This year's National Day ceremony on Oct. 10 will feature a wide range of programs, from performances by the military honor guard to parades by various civic and student groups, he said, noting that they are intended to showcase Taiwanese society's diversity, vitality and dignity.

Han said the ceremony would pay tribute to the land and all those who have contributed to the country, while also reflecting on the nation's development and the achievements of its people around the world.

There will also be celebrations outside the capital Taipei.

According to Han, an evening celebration titled "A Stage for the World -- Together in Taiwan" will be held at Banqiao Stadium in New Taipei on Oct. 9, featuring a musical concert with performances by local and foreign artists, including singer Enno Cheng (鄭宜農) and Indonesian pop band Grrrl Gang.

On Oct. 10, a fireworks display will be held at Taitung's Haibin Park, he added.

At a separate press event held Friday, Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an (潘孟安) said this year's light projection show on the Presidential Office building will spotlight the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first direct presidential election by looking back at the country's democratic development over the past three decades.

It will tell Taiwan's story while looking ahead to the next 30 years and the future of its democracy, Pan said.

National Cultural Association of Taiwan Secretary-General Lee Hou-ching (李厚慶) said the light shows held in previous years have highlighted important periods in Taiwan's history and culture.

This year, Lee said, the show will aim to remind spectators that "Taiwan's democracy is not simply a subject in history books, but part of everyday life," while highlighting the role Taiwanese people have played in shaping the island's democratic development.

The 2026 National Day light show on the Presidential Office building will run from Oct. 7-10, with projections shown every 30 minutes from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.