The “Beauty of Taiwan” European tour exhibition in 2024 kicked off its first stop on April 27th at the Taiwan Representative Office in Hamburg, Germany. The Director of the Hamburg Office, Chen You-Shun, and the President of the European Taiwan Chambers of Commerce (ETCC), Lin Wan-Rui, attended the opening ceremony.
Chen You-Shun expressed gratitude to friends from Taiwan who are diligently doing business in Europe. He credited their efforts for promoting public diplomacy, enhancing Taiwan’s visibility in Germany, and facilitating economic and trade cooperation between Taiwan and the European Union. He emphasized the shared universal values pursued by Taiwan and Europe, as well as their commitment to international economic and trade norms and legal frameworks, which has led to closer interactions in recent years. Chen You-Shun also thanked Taiwanese compatriots for their continuous support in promoting the EU and Economic Cooperation Agreement.
The President of the German-Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Union (GTCC), Tsai Meng-Ju, expressed appreciation for the participation of chamber members from various parts of Germany in the event. As the European chamber celebrates its 30th anniversary, Tsai highlighted the unity and vitality of the organization, commencing the annual meeting with an art exhibition, with hopes of carrying on the past achievements to open new opportunities.
At the event, the Honorary President of the European Taiwan Chambers of Commerce, Zhang Yu-Yang, calligraphed names and well-wishes for guests, sharing the beauty of traditional Chinese ink painting.
Lin Wan-Rui, who traveled from the Netherlands to attend the event, noted the innovative initiatives undertaken to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the European Taiwan Chambers of Commerce. In addition to touring exhibitions promoting Taiwanese culture and art, the organization collaborated for the first time with the National Development Council’s Human Resources Development Department on talent recruitment activities, facilitating the employment of Taiwanese masters and doctors who graduated from European universities with Taiwanese businesses in Europe, as well as attracting excellent European students and professionals to work in Taiwan (by advocating for employment gold cards). In line with the NDC’s “Central and Eastern European Development Plan,” preparations were also made for TSMC and semiconductor-related industries to establish factories in Europe while setting up factories in Germany.
Su Huan-Hao, a director of the California non-profit organization, the Formosan Art & Technology Museum (FATM), detailed that the curated pieces in the exhibition are from artists who have graduated from major art universities in Taiwan and have been creating art for years. These works will tour at the annual meetings of various chamber unions in European countries (Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg).
Su Huan-Hao shared insights on appreciating the art pieces, emphasizing the analysis of visual changes, the admiration of visual illusions created by lines, tones, and light and shadow; despite being flat works, one can feel their dynamics and three-dimensionality. He hopes that through cultural activities, practical international exchanges can be achieved and is delighted to inject a unique element for the European Taiwanese community by collaborating with the ETCC touring exhibition.