The past COVID years have been a challenge for everyone. Being able to navigate through the challenges of the pandemic is thanks to the tight fabric created along the years within the Taiwanese community in Ireland and beyond. Like a tiger looking after their cubs, Taiwan Ireland Association kept connecting with its members by organising online events to cheer up the mood within the community and maintain connection. TIA was delighted to organise the 2022 Lunar New Year luncheon as a physical event to members, families and friends. Hundred and eight attended the luncheon this year at Eatzen, Ashbourne. This event is sponsored by OCAC, Taipei Representative Office Ireland, Go Vegan, Miso Izakaya Sligo, Eatzen Ashbourne, Taiwan Tourism Bureau (London Office), Home Interior Gallery, Corner Life Salon, Hair Master, Mimikoshop and some individual sponsors. Director Shih-Chi Chen, Deputy JJ O'Connor and Chair Ming Chih Tsai recorded new year greeting video for Taiwanese community in Ireland (新春祝賀片).
In the past months, the community became even more integrated with other communities and like minded groups of friends, such as Cavan Cross Cultural Community, Migrant and Refugee Leaders Network, JCI Ireland and international partners from Hong Kong, France, Germany, UK and the USA. The luncheon was chaired by Deputy JJ O’Connor and Brook Chen. Opening was full of joy and the TIA chairperson Dr. Angel Cheng welcomed the honoured guest Ambassador Pierre Yang from the Taipei Representative Office Ireland. Exactly 100 years ago, the independent Irish Free State was declared in 1922. Such movement inspired the Taiwan Culture Association (臺灣文化協會) and its first chairman Lin Hsien-tang (林獻堂), leading to his soaring drive for gentle but firm Taiwan independence movement. When Mr. Lin visited Japan for the first time in 1907, he had a rather dramatic chance encounter with Ch’i-ch’ao Liang in Nara. The two discussed how the people of Taiwan were the victims of unequal treatment by the Japanese colonial government and how they might struggle to attain freedom and equality. Liang told Lin that China would not be in a position to help the Taiwanese win freedom for the next 30 years; that the Taiwanese must not act rashly and make a meaningless sacrifice; and that it was best for the Taiwanese to emulate the tactics of the Irish toward the English government — making friends with prominent politicians in the Japanese central government with the aim of placing restraints upon the Japanese Viceroy office’s governance of Taiwan, keeping it from flagrantly oppressing the Taiwanese. The non-violent strategy discussed in this conversation became the principle underlying Lin Hsien-tang’s subsequent moderate approach in the Taiwan nationalist movement. The Mayor of Ashbourne Suzanne Jamal and local Councillor Conor Tormey wished the Taiwanese community in Ireland a prosperous year and Happy Year of Tiger.
Gathering at one of the best Asian restaurants in Ireland known for its fine cuisines, the community was in for festive treat with symbolic new year dishes yet modern at Eatzen, including Xiao Long Bao, Scallops, Braised Pork Knuckles with Radish, Spinach and Tofu Soup, Tender Beef with Asparagus, Sanbei Chicken, Cod in blackbean sauce, Sesame Sweet Dumpling in ginger syrup.
Each TIA Committee member was presented with plum blossom-engraved rings and cufflinks that were specially ordered by the TIA Chair Angel Cheng to her team. The gifts were designed by a Taiwanese Jewellery designer Chih-Ning Li, who was also present at the luncheon. Designer Li travelled from London to join the celebration with Taiwanese community in Ireland. Her design was well appreciated in Ireland. This is the first order from Ireland and we wish her for more opportunities. New Year greeting is part of the programme this year. Children and adults who participated in this part received hand-crafted red envelopes with Black tiger carrying 1 euro seed money. In Taiwanese culture, this represents the seed money for the year and we wish all for a prosperous Year of Tiger. These envelopes were designed by TIA Event Lead Brook Chen. Two Hong Kong violinists, Isabel and Jacky, and two Taiwanese singers, Sasa and Hugo, brightened the festivities and made the audience feel like home.
Resilience, built on a community foundation, got us through the pandemic. Now there is a sense of easing, let’s roar into the year of 2022! Happy Lunar New Year and may our aspirations come to fruition. Credit: Photos taken by Cavan Media Production.
