On September 20, 2024, The Taiwan Centre for Mandarin Learning (TCML) in Ireland hosted a sold-out special screening of the documentary Invisible Nation at Dublin's Savoy Cinema as part of the Culture Night 2024 programme.
The event was jointly sponsored by Yuchia Lee, Chairperson of the Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese (DSMC), Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), the Taiwan Ireland Association (TIA), and the Taipei Representative Office(TRO), offering attendees an invaluable opportunity to gain insights into Taiwan’s political history and international status.
Yuchia Lee, Chairperson of the DSMC, expressed gratitude to the attendees for their enthusiastic support of TCML Ireland’s event. She also thanked the director Vanessa Hope and producers for making Taiwan visible. Despite being a small country, Taiwan possesses significant strength and aims to advance towards not being overlooked on the international stage.
Ambassador Yang, Representative of Taiwan to Ireland, said before the screening of the film that it is particularly meaningful to watch the "Invisible Nation" during the 79th United Nations General Assembly. Taiwan currently does not have a seat in the United Nations, and it is difficult to participate in related activities of the United Nations. It is indeed an "invisible country" and not even a normal country. But "invisible" never means non-existence, and "abnormal" often means extraordinary. He emphasised that Taiwan will work hard to develop, continue to strive, strive to be seen, and strive to contribute to the international community.
Invisible Nation is a documentary that took nearly seven years to complete, chronicling Taiwan's journey towards democratic development. It highlights the challenges faced by Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s first female president, during her campaign and throughout her two terms in office from 2016 to 2024. The film showcases Taiwan’s resilience and determination in defending its freedom and democracy against external pressures. Through this documentary, viewers gain a clearer understanding of Taiwan as an 'invisible country' and a deeper appreciation for its unique political landscape and democratic values.
The event attracted local Irish residents, Taiwanese expatriates, and TCML students, promoting cross-cultural dialogue and enhancing global understanding of Taiwan's cherished freedom and democracy.
