The Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands, in collaboration with the Chamber X Chamber Foundation and the Asia Table of Sociëteit De Witte in The Hague, co-hosted Taiwan Music Night on June 25. The event brought together distinguished guests from the Dutch political, business, and cultural sectors, as well as members of the Taiwanese community to celebrate Taiwan's rich and diverse cultural heritage through music.
Representative Chung-Kwang Tien remarked that Taiwan's multicultural identity is a precious asset shaped over centuries by Indigenous peoples, successive waves of migration, and international exchange. It also represents an important source of Taiwan's cultural soft power. He expressed the hope that music would serve as a bridge connecting Taiwan with the international community and enable more friends around the world to gain a deeper appreciation of Taiwan.
The concert featured renowned Dutch violinist Carla Leurs, Professor at the Utrecht Conservatory, together with Yuting Lu, violinist of the Residentie Orkest (The Hague Philharmonic), Shih-Hsien Tsai, Principal Violist of Ciconia Consort, and ShengChiun Lin, Principal Cellist of Siamo Orkest and Artistic Director of Chamber X Chamber. Performing as a string quartet, the ensemble presented arrangements by Taiwanese composer Lee Che-Yi of beloved Taiwanese works, including Temple Courtyard, Rain from Heaven, Lanyang Dance, Makatau Rhapsody, Puppet Fantasy, and Longing for the Spring Breeze. Through these works, the musicians vividly portrayed Taiwan's folk traditions, Hakka heritage, Indigenous cultures, and natural landscapes, highlighting the depth of Taiwan's cultural heritage and artistic creativity.
Culture transcends borders, and music is among the most powerful universal languages. Through continued cultural and artistic exchanges, Taiwan looks forward to further strengthening Taiwan–Netherlands friendship and enabling more international friends to discover the beauty and diversity of Taiwan.
