The inaugural Great New York Taiwan Children’s Play Festival was held on June 8th at the Taiwan Center in New York, showcasing traditional Taiwanese childhood games and puppet shows. Parents brought their second and third-generation children born overseas to experience the joy of traditional games from their childhood and savor delicious Taiwanese cuisine. The event brought together young and old in a harmonious atmosphere.
Traditional Taiwanese childhood games were once the main form of entertainment for children in Taiwan decades ago, often seen at temples and traditional festivals. In Yilan, Taiwan, there is even an “International Children’s Play Festival” that many Taiwanese people have grown up with. During times of scarce resources, Taiwanese people played simple childhood games like spinning tops, jump rope, marbles, and ring toss. These games were not only entertaining but also beneficial for children’s physical and mental development, enhancing skills like coordination, patience, concentration, and muscle control.
Organized by the “Taiwan Normal University Alumni Association in the Eastern United States”, the event was welcomed by President You Xiuzhen, and advisors from FASCA (Overseas Youth Cultural Ambassadors) such as Weng Yalin and chief planner Ji Qinghua. The event was attended by Consul Zhang Lixian from the New York Economic and Cultural Office, State Senator Liu Chunyi, Councilor Huang Minyi, Director Chen Yongfeng of the New York Overseas Chinese Cultural and Educational Services Center, and Chairman Su Chunhuai of the Taiwan Center. They expressed that seeing these childhood games from decades past come alive at the New York Taiwan Center was like stepping into a time tunnel, reminiscing about their joyful childhood and allowing today’s children to experience the happiness and benefits of traditional Taiwanese childhood games.
Approximately hundreds of parents and children from New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey attended the children’s play festival to experience Taiwanese childhood games and cuisine. Games included marbles, ring toss, darts, fishing, rice cake molding, bottle fishing, ring toss, and throwing balls into cups. Under the guidance and assistance of FASCA Overseas Youth Cultural Ambassadors, children played with focus and enjoyment.
An eye-catching aspect of the event was the vibrant Taiwanese elements throughout, with a traditional Taiwanese puppet show stage set up on the stage. The roof was adorned with green tiles and decorated with gold dragon motifs on the sides, displaying bright colors. The front of the puppet show stage was inscribed with the words “I Love Taiwan.”
Ms. Li, a parent, brought her two-year-old daughter to the event. She mentioned that while children nowadays prefer electronic games, these traditional games not only provide fun but also present challenges that are beneficial for children’s brain development.
Apart from games, there was also delicious food available. Sushi master Zhong Wenzhong and the New Jersey chapter of the World Chinese Business Women Executive Association provided free shaved ice at the event, along with fried rice and noodles. The President of the New York Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Lin Qingfu, also presented pearl milk tea to attendees.
The organizers stated that this year was the first edition of the festival and hoped to continue it in the coming years, allowing parents and children from different backgrounds and ethnicities to enjoy educational games while deepening their understanding of Taiwan and its culture.