Organized by the Ministry of Culture (MOC), the cultural program “We TAIWAN” will take place from Aug. 2 to 20 at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan. On July 22, the MOC and the featured artists took part in a blessing ritual at Shilin Cixian Temple (士林慈諴宮). The ministry also highlighted the success of the “We TAIWAN” crowdfunding campaign, a citizen-led initiative that brought the mascot “a-We” to Japan’s Keihan Railway.
The MOC noted that religious belief is a core element of Taiwanese culture and a meaningful way to share Taiwan with the world. The performance “A Ritual of Gratitude Before the Temple”, set to take place at Expo 2025, will not only present Taiwanese spiritual traditions through artistic expression but also carry wishes for wellness and prosperity for the event.
Launched on July 2, the “We TAIWAN” crowdfunding campaign met its fundraising goals within just 40 hours. The project supports multiple initiatives, including sending the “a-We” hot air balloon into the Osaka skies, advertising on the Keihan Railway, producing a documentary, and launching media promotions in Japan.
Minister of Culture Li Yuan emphasized that “We TAIWAN” represents a joint effort in cultural diplomacy between the government and the people. “From corporate sponsorship to the enthusiastic support of cultural advocates through crowdfunding, I am deeply grateful,” he said.
The MOC also announced the upcoming launch of an online game titled “a-We TO GO”, available from Aug. 2. The game will feature missions at ten performance venues and ten local shops in Osaka, with exclusive “a-We” themed prizes for participants.
For more information on “We TAIWAN,” visit the program’s official website, follow the program on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, and add the official LINE account.
