A 15-day “Beigang Mazu American Cultural and Art Festival Tour” was held with the chairman of the Beigang Chaotian Temple, Cai Yonghui, leading a group of 22 people, accompanied by Chen Yongfeng, director of the New York Overseas Chinese Cultural and Educational Service Center. On May 23rd, they visited the century-old New York Chinese Public Affairs Association and were welcomed by the newly appointed chairman, Zhu Chaoran, advisor Xiao Guiyuan, and the president of the Taishan Ningyang Association, Wu Jianping.
Chairman Zhu Chaoran of the New York Chinese Public Affairs Association expressed his delight at the visit of the Beigang Chaotian Temple, praising the rich and diverse Mazu pilgrimage culture of Taiwan, much like the historical vitality of Chinatown’s traditional overseas Chinese societies. Both communities take pride in their diverse cultures and hope that through this exchange, mutual understanding and friendship can be promoted.
Beigang Chaotian Temple has a history of over three hundred years, but this visit to the East Coast of New York for the Mazu pilgrimage is a first. Chairman Cai Yonghui, in his speech, expressed gratitude to the airline and local overseas Chinese for their assistance, and hoped that this event could serve more overseas compatriots.
Cai Yonghui presented a white jade Guanyin statue to the New York Chinese Public Affairs Association, and Zhu Chaoran reciprocated by giving the association a flag. Before the press conference, Cai Yonghui and the Beigang Chaotian Temple team demonstrated a simple blessing and worship ceremony for Mazu’s pilgrimage to Zhu Chaoran and the association staff.
The “Beigang Mazu American Cultural and Art Festival Tour” was invited by Liao Shidun, president of the Greater New York Taiwanese Association, and took place from May 14th to 29th, visiting San Francisco, Houston, and New York in the United States, sharing Taiwan’s Mazu cultural beliefs.