On 29th September, the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland and Taiwan-Ireland Association were joint hosts for the annual Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) in the Mansion House, Dublin. Representative and Mrs. Tu were joined on the night by members of the Taiwanese community in Ireland and Irish friends from all walks of life. Almost 150 people were in attendance at the event which was held in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.
Speaking to those present, Chairman of the Taiwan-Ireland Association; Mr. Frank Lu, thanked the Taipei Representative Office, The Overseas Community Affairs Commission and the Taiwanese community for their assistance and strong support of the Association’s events. Representative Tu echoed Mr. Lu’s words by thanking the Taiwan-Ireland Association, Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese and local Taiwanese community for their efforts and assistance in the past year, in particular in helping to organise the Mandarin Chinese Character Festival, Taiwanese Culinary Demonstration and Taiwan Film Festival amongst many others.
Representative Tu also spoke of the warm bilateral trade relations between Taiwan and Ireland with the total trade volume increasing by 29% in the past year and Ireland becoming Taiwan’s 12th largest trading partner in the EU, up from 17th in 2016. He also encouraged those present to show their support at the upcoming Flag-Raising Ceremony and Mandarin Chinese Speech Competition in Leinster Cricket Club.
Traditional Taiwanese cuisine and moon-cakes in particular were provided to celebrate the occasion while entertainment was supplied by the Taiwanese “Third Prince” cultural dance and a raffle with prizes including Kavalan Whiskey, Encyclopedia of Ireland and exquisite Taiwanese engraving painting. The event proved to be a most enjoyable and successful occasion with all present looking forward to attending again next year.
Representative and Mrs. Tu (centre right) posing for a photo with the “Third Prince” and the guests.
Representative Tu giving his speech at the event.
Chairman of the Taiwan-Ireland Association; Mr. Frank Lu, speaking to those present.
Representative Tu presenting the top raffle prize (Taiwanese engraving painting) to the lucky winner.