WTIC台北市迎新會2023年年刊

台北市迎新會

February 2023

To Foster Friendship through Understanding and Understanding through Education and Friendship

A Message from the President

International (WCI), ROC National Council of Women (NCW) and Federation of Asia-Pacific Women’s Associations (FAWA). In the year 2022, our representatives attended WCI, NCW and FAWA events through online lectures, forums or board meetings to advocate empowering women equality through international friendship and education.

Dear Members,

The time has gone by so quickly. My twoyear term of presidency will come to a close on the day of the 2023 Annual Registration Luncheon. In retrospect, during 2022 we continued to follow our predecessors’ footprint to steadfastly promote “culture” as our dialogue to foster international friendship. I want to thank all of you for your strong support of WTIC as a big family.

Cultural diversity brings a wider point of view that benefits our members, local or foreign. First, I would like to express my gratitude to Mrs. Xiang Jen Yao for accepting WTIC’s invitation to present an online lecture “the Art of Chinese Living: An Inheritance of Tradition.” It was a good opportunity for both our local members to refresh their understanding of our culture and our international members to better appreciate their life in Taiwan. By the same token, I would like to extend a tribute to Representative Muhammed Berdibek and Madam Zeynep Berdibek for sponsoring a Turkish Tea party to introduce Turkish traditional dance, music and food delicacy; offering our members an opportunity to experience Turkish culture through sound, sight and palate.

WTIC continues to maintain positive affiliated partnership with Welcome Clubs

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all our interest groups members, teachers and chairpersons, for keeping each group active and vibrant even amid strict pandemic restrictions. In keeping in line with our tradition, we were impressed that not only our chairpersons continued to put together their best performance or exhibition, but also our honorary members performed a show of Electric Slide Line Dance to express their strong support to WTIC at our 2022 Christmas Luncheon! Through mutual interactions at many events and activities during the year, we gained better understanding of each other and achieved closer ties of international friendship which is the core value of WTIC.

Our board members and working committees continued to hold online meetings regularly to plan for 2022 events. They dedicated themselves and their time to benefit our club. They are the dynamic force which moves our annual agenda forward. I am deeply touched by their selfless contributions. I would also like to express deep appreciation to those who gave me personal support and advice over these past two years. Your advice helped widen my vision and guided me through my presidency journey. WTIC will always be special and unique in my heart. Best wishes to all of you in the coming Year of the Rabbit!

Jeannie Tien, President Welcome to Taipei International Club

2022 WTIC Activity Calendar

2022

02/14 Welcome Clubs International Online Event–Regional Perspectives: Middle East Women’s Rights

02/15 2022 Annual Registration Luncheon

02/23 Exploration Group–Martin’s Organic Strawberry Farm

02/25 Gourmet Group–Domani Italian Restaurant

03/01 Art & Culture–Dali & Mucha’s Special Exhibitions

03/03 Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival) Exhibition at Yang San Lang Museum

03/14 2022 Internatiional Women’s Day Luncheon–Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow

03/22 The 7th Board Meeting

03/23 Exploration Group–National Taiwan Museum at Railway Department Park

03/31 Gourmet Group–Nancun Private Kitchen at Military Dependents’ Village

04/07 Art & Culture–Alive Art in the Renaissance Immersive Exhibition

04/14 Annual Lecture Webinar–The Art of Chinese Living (via Zoom)

04/27 Exploration Group–Ching-Kuo Chi-Hai Cultural Park

04/27

Welcome Clubs International Online Event–Regional Perspectives: South America

05/23 Welcome Clubs International Annual Board Meeting (via Zoom)

06/14 The 8th Board Meeting (via Google Meet)

09/15 The 9th Board Meeting (via Google Meet)

09/22 Gourmet Group–May Snow Hakka Restaurant

10/03 Art & Culture and Gourmet Group Joint Event–A Visit to the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center

10/13 Turkish Tea Party

10/18 Welcome Clubs International–Leadership Forum (via Zoom)

10/19

10/25

Exploration Group–Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum

Art & Culture–Liu Yong “Painting My Childhood” Exhibition

10/27 National Council of Women of Taiwan, ROC–Forum of “Women’s Economic Empowerment–Road to Happy Family”

11/07 Welcome Clubs International Online Event–Regional Perspectives: Europe

11/11 2022 Beauty–Full Korea Hanbok Fashion Show

11/15 The 10th Board Meeting (via Google Meet)

11/16 Art & Culture–National Palace Museum “An Epitome of the Art & History of the Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasty” Exhibition

11/18

Gourmet Group–Renhe Garden Yunnan Restaurant

11/23 Exploration Group–Grand Hotel East Tunnel Tour

12/10 National Council of Women of Taiwan, ROC–2022 General Assembly

12/13 Christmas Luncheon

2023

01/10 The 11th Board Meeting (via Google Meet)

Annual Registration Luncheon

It was a pleasure for me to attend the 2022 Annual Registration Luncheon and ring in the Year of the Tiger. My name is Ariunaa Bold-Erdene and I represent my country Mongolia in the club. I've been in Taiwan for four years and have been involved in the WTIC's activities since then. I'm grateful to have met and become friends with such wonderful people. Taiwan feels like a second home to me, and I've grown accustomed to its people's calm, polite, and friendly demeanor.

Looking back, it has been an experience for

me over the years to feel and see how the citizens of this island live happily and in a safe, healthy, stressfree environment.

To date, I have visited many cities and provinces in Taiwan, including the beautiful Kenting Beach, the majestic Alishan Mountain, the awe-inspiring Tarako Gorge, Green Island, and Fo Guanshan, the Buddhist center, all of

which have left an indelible mark on me.

Finally, I'd like to thank President Jeannie Tien and the members of this club for organizing all of the incredible events each year. I would like to wish everyone the best this year and many more to come.

By Ariunaa Bold-Erdene Spouse of Representative Ulaanbaatar Trade and Economic Representative Office in Taipei

You are invited to the 2022 Annual Registration Luncheon

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Program

1. Welcome Remarks by WTIC President Jeannie Tien

2. 2022 Annual Meeting

a. Proposal and vote on amendment to bylaws of WTIC

b. Powerpoint report of 2021 events & activities

c. Report on 2021 financial statements

d. Report on 2022 budget & new programs

3. Performance of “Circus Praises Lantern Fest” by New Image Circus

4. Happy Lucky Draw

5. Performance of traditional Chinese New Year Lion Dance

Please come and celebrate with us!

Annual Lecture Webinar

Speaker: Ms. Xiang

Jen Yao

CEO of ARTECH Foundation and a renowned cross-field writer and designer Topic: The Art of Chinese Living

It was a wonderful online event organized by the WTIC where they brought us together for an exciting talk by the author of the four-volume set book, “The Art of Chinese Living: An Inheritance of Tradition.” It is published in Mandarin in two different editions for Taiwan and China and it has now been translated into English and made available to a wider audience worldwide. A Japanese translation is forthcoming.

Ms. Xiang Jen Yao walked us through not only the book but, in answer to the several questions that were asked, she was kind enough to also share the process of writing the book. She explained how the idea came to her when she spent time with her daughter when they were both driving to her university to start a new phase of her life. As an expat Chinese, she felt

that her children should have a kind of ready reckoner for everything that summed up being Chinese - food, traditions, festivals, clothes, art and everything else. For a civilization as ancient as China, that was a huge challenge. She likes to put it as a book born out of a mother’s love and her desire to share herself with her family. She set about collecting material, and in the process also had several items specifically designed for the book. One glance through the book and you will appreciate the publisher’s dilemma in categorizing the book. It is divided into four volumes, one for each season; summer, winter, autumn and spring. Each volume has a different color and a different theme, the attention to detail is mind boggling. For instance, the section on food not only has details of food but

includes recipes, pictures, pots and pans and her experiences from her own garden. The section on family has her own genealogy. Thus at one level the book is universal but as you get immersed in it you understand how personal it is. To give you just one example of how the book is organized, it describes a popular festival, gives recipes of snacks made during the festival and proceeds to tell you all the major authors across time, who wrote on the theme of that festival- love- and ends by describing the author’s own experiences of reading them as a little girl.

It took seven years for the book to take this shape and Ms. Yao involved herself with the photographs, the selections, even the colors. Not only is the book packed with information, it is a visual treat as much attention has been paid to the composition, the printing and the texture.

It is a testament to what can be achieved with a mother’s love and strength. She also suggested that others should take a cue from her book and use the same arrangement to put together something like this for their own cultures. My personal favorites are the folded pullouts showing a wealth of detail on the topic in a manner that

brings together the philosophy of holistic living clearly to those not familiar with this part of the world.

It was great to hear all this and more from the author. The two hours just flew by. I couldn’t have asked for a better keepsake for my Taiwan stay.

Thank you WTIC for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of her journey.

By Harsha Dass Spouse of Director General India-Taipei Association

A Taste of Türkiye

I can't remember exactly when. But all I remember was Jeannie's wonderful energetic voice: " Come on Zeynep, let's have a nice day together. We are all curious about Turkish food and culture ." Of course I was very excited about that. I started to think about the events I attended for different countries before. Then we started planning this event with the International Cooking Demonstration Group of the WTIC. However, our program, which we started to plan in 2021, had to be postponed many times due to Covid-19. Almost all activities were suspended for a while. But we knew that these days will pass and we will continue from where we left off. The year 2022 has arrived and the effects of Covid-19 have begun to wane. That wonderful voice on my phone again, Jeannie's wonderful energy was like the first day: "Come on Zeynep, now is the time. Let's start again!! " A year has passed, but the day we have been waiting for has finally arrived.

The Taste

Yes, I know, if you want to promote the special tastes of your country, the food selection

process is both difficult and very enjoyable. It's just like your friends from different countries coming to your house. You want to offer them flavors that they will love, and you make sure that this choice reflects your cultural taste.

So did I. My aim was to introduce flavors that appeal to everyone. But in the end, I realized that the list I prepared was a little fluffy. Jeannie was so kind that she turned to her friends and said, "If Zeynep is preparing so much, she must know something. Please add all the flavors to the list. Maybe this will be a lunch party, not a tea party, but I'm sure the result will be wonderful ." Then we prepared a wonderful combination with

Turkish soup, appetizers with yoghurt and special sauce, main courses, rice, rice pudding, baklava and Turkish tea. We served almost every taste, hot, sweet, salty, sour, on our plates. For this, we received special recipes and help from our Turkish chef in our residence.

We also made a short demo of how Turkish coffee and Turkish tea are made. In addition, we sent the recipes of all the dishes we served at the dinner to our guests by email. It was nice to see everyone happy at the end of the meal.

The Activities

It was enjoyable to listen to my husband B erdibek's introductory speech on Turkish culture. My husband talked about Turkish culture and how happy we are in Taiwan. Afterwards, special dance performances were held and traditional musical instruments were played by dear Violet and her team. Violet and her team are from Taiwan, but they know and promote Turkish culture as well as we do. We are proud of that.

On the other hand videos promoting Türkiye attracted the attention of the guests. And we have prepared a special corner to wear traditional Turkish clothes and take photos. Our guests had a lot of fun here.

In my opinion, one of the most striking points of the event was the mini Türkiye exhibition prepared by dear Ayşe at the entrance of the event hall.

Of course I should also mention the lucky draw. In this way, the lucky numbers won their gifts. By the way, this is the part that excites me

the most at an event. I've only been able to win one sweepstakes so far. My hope continues.

This event will remain a very good memory for me. First of all, I would like to thank the President of WTIC Jeannie Tien, who proposed this valuable event. I would also like to thank my dear husband Representative Muhammed Berdibek. Thanks to Olivia, Teresa, Dear Violet

and the team, my office colleagues, Ayşe, İbrahim and our esteemed guests and friends who held this meeting.

Teşekkürler.

By Dr. Zeynep Dinçer Berdibek Spouse of Representative Turkish Trade Office

Christmas Luncheon

The ballroom at the Shangri-la Far Eastern Hotel was filled to capacity on the afternoon of December 13 for the 2022 Christmas Luncheon. The Christmas season is believed by many to be a magical time, with stories of miracles in many shapes and forms. The annual luncheon brought the members of WTIC together to celebrate the end of another successful and busy year. This year’s luncheon also brought a little magic of the Christmas season in the form of an exciting magic show

As in previous years, the luncheon was also an opportunity for the WTIC interest groups to showcase their activities and accomplishments

in the past year. The program began with performance

Zumba Group. They made a special effort and invited Santa Claus to join in the performance of a Zumba dance routine. They were followed by performances from the Taichichuan Group and a line dance by the Table Tennis and Bridge Group. Next was a beautiful fashion show of garments designed and sewn by the Sewing Group. The Honorary Members of WTIC also came together and performed the Electric Slide Line Dance. The Exploration Group had a trivia show and between all these programs, we were treated to exciting performances by local magician HUANG Jun-Jie. Besides the common magic tricks of making cards, money disappear and re-appear, levitating small table; he truly amazed

and surprised us when he made a large bowling ball appear out of thin air.

The festivities were not limited to the stage. In the hallway outside the ballroom, we were able to view the highly accomplished paintings made by members of the Chinese Brush Painting Group and some lovely decorative knots by the Chinese Knotting Group. The Golf Group also put up a

small putting green for everyone to give the game a try.

A special thanks is due to the working team of WTIC for putting together this excellent event. For me, the magic of Christmas means friends, family and happiness. This Christmas Luncheon was all of that and more, it was definitely magical!

By Judy Chow

Report on Welcome Clubs International Webinars

Regional Perpectives: Middle East, South America, and Europe

and journalist, shared her travels worldwide to areas neglected and overlooked by leaders and politicians.

The programs' success resulted from the collaboration of member clubs and the help of the Technology Team, all of whom devoted their time and talent to creating successful webinars.

Welcome Clubs International (WCI) has the honor to share its experience and accomplishments with our member club, the esteemed members of Welcome to Taipei.

In 2022 the collective endeavor of the WCI Executive Committee was instrumental in achieving our goals and in highlighting the diversity within our organization.

The three Regional Perspectives presented in February, April, and November of 2022 came from our Clubs in Lebanon, South America, and Europe. The speakers were Dr. Lina AbiRafeh, Dr. Mara Rubia Andre Alves de Lima, and Sonia Kennebeck.

Dr. AbiRafeh’s speech focused on the empowerment of women and gender equality. Dr. Mara Rubia shared her personal story and visit to the Amazon with the Rondon Project, an institution for sustainable development and equality for the underprivileged. Sonia Kennebeck, an award-winning documentary filmmaker

In addition, in no small way, our thanks go to the participants who registered in respectable numbers and expressed their overwhelming compliments and appreciation of the programs.

If anyone is interested, the recordings of all these programs are available on WCI's members' site at https://www.members.wciclubs.org/ meetings.

In conclusion, on behalf of the members of the WCI Executive Committee, we wish you and your families a happy and healthy Lunar Year of the Rabbit on January 22nd, 2023. As fable has it, the overconfident rabbit took a nap. When he woke up, the OX (whom he had mocked mercilessly) was sitting in the first place and had beaten him. We women will not take a nap; we will all work together with the support of the network of international friendship to reach our goal of empowering women and obtaining gender equality.

Caroline Adair Dimmers, WCI Director Eshrat Demougeot, WCI Co-Director

Eshrat Demougeot, WCI Co-Director

Caroline Adair Dimmers, WCI Director

Arts & Culture

~Dali & Mucha’s Special Exhibitions~ at National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

It’s always exciting when a splendid art exhibition arrives in town. When two arrive at the same time it’s even better, and WTIC weren’t going to miss the opportunity to offer its members a visit. On March 1st, a group of about fifty enthusiastic WTIC members met to enjoy a guided tour of Spanish surrealist, Salvador Dali and followed by a special exhibition on the works of the Czech artist Alphonse Mucha.

Salvador Dali – Mind of a Genius

This exhibition took us through the life of Dalí and the wide range of areas he worked in, such as architecture, sculpture, and theatre. The area our guide concentrated on was the display of over 100 watercolor pieces – ‘Dali’s Divine Comedy’.

In 1950 Dali was invited by the Pope and the Italian Government to produce a series of illustrations depicting Dante Alighieri’s epic poem, The Divine Comedy. Here Dante, guided by the poet Virgil, first descends into the depths of Hell, before ascending Mount Purgatory to finally arrive in Paradise.

As a controversial artist, the Spaniard Dali was an unusual choice to take on such a work and, in time, his commission was withdrawn. However, Dali continued the work and produced his epic scenes depicting the journey. These

were subsequently transformed into woodcuts –a complicated and time-consuming undertaking which Dali personally oversaw – to prevent possible forgery of his work.

Another notable piece in the exhibition was Dali’s 1979 oil painting ‘In Search of the Fourth Dimension’ which features the famous ‘melting watch’. Also shown was ‘Destino’ - a short animated film created in collaboration between Dalí and the Walt Disney Company in the 1940s, and released in 2003. Other artworks in the exhibition included his paintings from the 1920s, stage designs from the 1940s, and works from his later life including the Mae West living room –lots of red lips for a sofa and curtains for hair.

Timeless Mucha — Mucha to Manga

This was a special exhibition about the Art Nouveau painter, Alphonse Mucha, as part of the on-going celebrations for the artist's 150th birthday.

He is best known for portraying the beauty of women, and fusing the elements from many cultures, including folk styles from the Czech, Japanese and Byzantines.

People tend to recognize Mucha’s work from the famous advertising posters including the theatrical posters for plays featuring Sarah

Bernhardt. Also well-known are ‘The Seasons’ which was also displayed. A distinctive feature of Mucha’s style was his use of long tendrils of hair, flowers and plants and flowing garments. These often spilled over into the frame of the picture. The women tend to look boldly out at the viewer, which was unusual for the time and arresting.

Mucha was a more versatile artist than we might have realized. As well as paintings, he produced jewellery, silver, glass, chairs and china. Some of these pieces were on show in the exhibition including a necklace designed for his wife.

The focus of this special exhibition was to showcase how Mucha developed his unique style of elegant, feminine lines, and explore later artworks inspired by this style. On display were foreign artefacts and books that he kept in his studio and also original sketches and drawings made during his childhood and early career.

It was a fascinating afternoon showcasing two very different artists and having an expert guide to give detailed information just made it even more worthwhile.

By Jillian Dennis Spouse of Representative British Office Taipei

~“Alive Art in the Renaissance” Immersive Exhibition~ at EcoARK Pavillion

Even after a four-year stay in Prague ten years ago, I have not been to a place where there were so much cultural offerings as in Taiwan. On April 7, thanks to the always motivating and exciting activities organized by members from Welcome to Taipei International Club, I had the occasion to experience a yet different artistic expression—or shall I say—a modern, and creative way to present some of the most traditional and well-known art.

The “Alive Art in the Renaissance,” Exhibition featured at the Taipei International Flora Expo’s Pavilion, is a digital exhibit showcasing some of the best well- known works by Italy’s Tuscany masters of the Renaissance period: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raffaello and Botticelli, as well as the much younger Milanese artist Caravaggio. Here you get to see paintings that you have probably seen reproduced hundreds of times in books, post cards, posters, etc.; and there is even also a pretty good chance that you have would have seen originals themselves. And yet, the uniqueness of this exhibition is the use of technology to blow up the images to sizes much larger than life, allowing you to notice details that you probably have missed every other time. Moreover, at one point during your visit, you will see Mona Lisa, Adam, Plato and Aristotle, Venus, Medusa, moving above, below, by your side and across you, complemented by the sounds of music from the same historical period when those

masterworks were crafted. We are talking about paintings converted into films being projected onto 5-meter-tall walls, from the floor to the ceiling.

For this exhibit, the WTIC organizers had arranged something very special in store for us non-Mandarin speakers: Mrs. Anna Lisa Ghini, the spouse of the Italian Representative in Taiwan, gave us a unique, delightful, and extremely well-prepared introduction, not only to what we would see in the exhibit, but to the actual framework of it all: the Renaissance period

and the transition—the actual revolution— it meant vis-à-vis medieval times. Mrs. Ghini explained to us the historical meaning of the Renaissance and its key features, and placed us not in Italy— a non-existent concept at the time—but in Florence and its unique position as the entrepreneurial city-state, and the center of business and art patrons. It was in the new age of socio-political and economic development which brought about a new understanding of humankind and the consequent appreciation of the human forms and inner feelings which were featured in new and sophisticated artistic expressions, displayed in shapes, use of colors, shades and perspective.

Moreover, Mrs. Ghini pointed out to us meaningful insights and details about some of the world’s most renown paintings, such as the wind blowing upon Botticelli’s Venus, or her identity; or the presence of Caravaggio’s face in almost all his paintings and the reason for that. Particularly striking for me in that respect, was the fact that as much as I love The School of Athens, I had seldom looked beyond the two overly attractive center figures, thereby ignoring all the surrounding philosophers until technology improved the size and quality of the reproduction. I had never even noticed that Raffaello himself is in the painting, until Mrs. Ghini identified him for us.

Finally, perhaps the piece in the exhibit that best exemplifies the richness of the technology adding to our artistic appreciation, is the reproduction of the frescos in the dome of the Florence Cathedral. If you were to try to see “The Last Judgement” in Florence, you would have to use binoculars and lay down on the floor for quite some time. Through the application of technology, you get to admire every detail of the fresco as if you were inside the church and elevated high up close to the dome. In addition to seeing the work up close, Mrs. Ghini also explained the genesis of the fascinating work and the reason for having two painters —Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari.

I could have missed so many wonders available in Taiwan, had it not been for WTIC’s initiatives and generous invitations. The “Alive Art in Renaissance” Exhibition is certainly one of them. Thank you again, WTIC!

By Celina Hoyos-Torres Spouse of Head of Mexico Trade Services, Documentation and Culture Office

~A Visit to Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center~

On a cool, breezy beautiful autumn day, ladies coming from different parts of Taipei met in front of the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish community Center; a pristine, middle-eastern style white building standing

solemnly in a quiet alley of Ren’ai Road. In the building, our guide showed us the many Judaica ritual objects, paintings, and Jewish art collected by the founder, Mr. Schwartz, who is also the CEO of Four Star Group, Inc. We were then taken to see the Mikveh, the ritual bath for spiritual purification.

On the top floor is a beautiful spacious ballroom where we later had lunch.

We were enchanted to discover an outdoor courtyard paved with colorful middle-eastern motif tiles located between the ballroom and the Synagogue. In the House of Worship, our guide showed us the Torah, explained how the Jewish people worship on the Jewish Day of Rest – Shabbat. After a tour to the Kosher Culinary Lab and the restaurant, we enjoyed an authentic kosher meal, savoring delicious dishes such as hummus, falafel, kebab, shakshouka, just to name a few. The highlight of the tour was meeting Mr. Schwartz in person. It was a pleasure to hear him speak about the many years of work it took to make the center come true.

the JTCA organization, Mr. Glenn Leibowitz explained during our tour, “This is a place built for the Jewish community in Taiwan. It is also for anyone who is interested in learning about Judaism, Jewish history, culture, and the Hebrew language.” Not only is the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center a remarkable contribution to the Jewish community in Taiwan, it is also a significant contribution to Taiwan’s cultural diversity.

By Stasia Chen

The trip to the center is an eye-opening experience for people like myself who has very little about the Jewish history and culture. As

Mr. Jeffrey D. Schwartz and the CEO of

This morning I tried my hand at painting for the first time in a watercolor painting class, resulting in a product (I wouldn’t call it a work of art) that easily could have been produced by my four-year old granddaughter.

My attempt to learn how to paint only increased my immense admiration for Liu Yong ( 劉墉 ), the artist, author and educator whose ”Painting My Childhood” exhibition at the Grand Courtyard we visited on October 22 with the WTIC Art & Culture Interest Group. Mr Liu’s son, Liu Xuan, guided and explained his father’s work to the English-speaking part of the group.

From the first painting, depicting Liu Yong’s childhood memories of the Grand Courtyard, to the last, memories of his Alma Mater, Long An Elementary school, we were drawn into the paintings, mesmerized by the stories, intrigued by all the little characters, each with their own activities: children climbing trees or sliding from hills, flying kites and playing games like hide and seek, adults doing their daily chores, cooking, gambling, fishing, arguing, celebrating, eating and drinking.

Liu Yong has published over 100 books and his story-telling capacities are reflected in every painting. Even the ones with “just” flowers tell their own stories, like the painting of the cactus that bloomed for the first time the night his youngest daughter was born. The bird paintings also tell stories: the birds are never just there, they interact, fight or flee. The paintings with

landscapes and buildings tell the stories of Liu Yong’s own life, from sneaking into the Grand Courtyard as a child, fishing with his father, losing the house he lived in due to a great fire, to living with his mother in a small shack, the stories go on and on.

Because of Liu Yong’s rich imagination, narrative style and marvelous creativity, these paintings leave a lasting impression. As for me, after my first painting class, I will from now on confine myself to being the admiring spectators of other people’s creations!

By Marijke Stijne

In October, 2022, two special exhibitions: “Four Leisure Activities—Arranging Flowers, Burning Incense, Hanging Paintings, Tasting Tea” and “All That Flourishes Under the Brush: The Late Ming Culturati Wang Shizhen”, were shown at the National Palace Museum (NPM). The two exhibition covers a period of five centuries of art and culture.

The “Four Leisure Activities” is dedicated to the taste and aesthetic from the Song (960-1279) to the Yuan Dynasties (1271-1368). According to Record of Mi llet Dream(12th century), flower arranging, incense burning, painting hanging, and tea tasting activities can refine the spirit and living.

The curators from the two departments have selected items for the four sections, rare books, historical documents, calligraphies, paintings, porcelains, bronzes, lacquer wares items. Precious monochrome porcelains also added special charm to the exhibition.

The NPM also invited the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, the Ryoko-in Sanctuary in the Daitoku-ji Temple and the National Central Library in Taiwan to join. The 21 porcelains loan by the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, including 2 National Treasures and 3 Important Cultural Properties and the Korean Goryeo celadons etc. were highlights of the exhibition.

“All That Flourishes Under the Brush” based on writings of Wang Shizhen (1526-1590), a historian, litterateur, art critic and collector during the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644). He became a Presented Scholar at 22, but at 34, after his father, Prominent Official Wang Shu (1507-1560) has been executed by the Grand Secretary Yan Song (1480-1567), he returned to the Southern China and resided in the garden he designed. His

vision and theories regarding history, and his appreciations for the calligraphies from the 3rd to 10th centuries and porcelains, paintings between 11th to 12th centuries have influenced literates and scholars of later generations.

The curatorial teams from the two departments have curated six sections: Prologue: Art Collecting and Family Disaster Becoming an All-around Scholar of Culture and Authority; Collecting and Studying for a Comprehensive Art-Historical View; Rising Competitions in Social Status and Regional Development; Trendsetter in the Definition of Prosperity; A Son's Revenge and Making History. Several paintings and calligraphies from the 3rd to 16th centuries, classified as National Treasures, have enriched the exhibition.

By Lisette Lou

~An Epitome of the Art & History of the Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasty Exhibition~ at the National Palace Museum

Bridge Group

Bridge is both a social and a competitive game. It is played by four players on two opposing or competing teams. Millions of people play bridge in clubs, at home or at local or international tournaments worldwide, making it one of the world's most popular card games!

WTIC’s BRIDGE INTEREST GROUP was established in 2012 and has members from different countries. Even though partnership and communications are required, we are able to play and have fun with one another because bridge is a game which defies language barriers! Everyone communicates through her bids, there is (supposedly!) no talking, and the “bidding sequence” says it all!

We meet every Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:30pm at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs, MOFA. Mr. Sui, our coach, comes by about once a month to help improve our bidding and playing skills. This year, we worked on unifying our bidding system, so that no matter who our partner happens to be on

any particular day, we are “speaking” the same (bridge) language!

So, on Wednesday afternoons, we train our brains to focus, use logic and reasoning, but along the way, we have also fostered many lasting friendships! We welcome all who are interested to come take a look!

By Katy Chuang

Chi Gong Group

Chi gong is appropriate for everyone regardless of age or physical ability. As one of the foundation elements for Chinese martial arts, medicine and philosophy, chi gong is a practice or exercise that involves slow body movements and postures in coordination with breathing and meditation. Chi is translated as “energy” and it is one’s vital energy that flows through the body. The chi gong practice is to promote the balance and increase the vital energy in the body.

Teacher Li-Tsai Sun has taught the Chi Gong Group at WTIC for over 18 years. The class meets every Friday morning from 10:30 to noon, at the 4th floor recreation room of the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (MOFA) building.

In order to promote a healthier life style, especially during the COVID pandemic period, Teacher Sun places heavy emphasis on the

daily practice of chi gong. This way chi or our vital life energy can constantly and smoothly flow within one’s body. When we do our daily chi gong practice, it promotes the flow of energy as we are breathing in and breathing out, which can help to improve one’s vitality and health.

Due to the COVID pandemic this year, we were able to hold very few in-person classes and were unable to have any class outings. We are hoping that things will get better and we can have our weekly chi gong practice as a group in 2023!

By Carol Sun

Chinese Brush Painting Group

Is it just art then, a skill that one can learn with training and years of dedicated practice?

Teacher Wang emphasizes that an artist can only bring forth what is inside her. You cannot create art unless there is peace and harmony within yourself.

One of the WTIC interest groups is the Chinese painting class, conducted by Teacher Wang, who is not only an accomplished artist but an amazing teacher. To an observer or even a student of Chinese painting, the simplicity and naturalness of it seems to imply an effortlessness on part of the painter, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The skill, the technique, the powers of observation, the control over self and tools as well as the focus that is required for this art form is phenomenal.

The first few classes focus on getting your posture and the manner of holding brushes right. You learn how important preparation is - of the ink, the color, the palette- and how equally important patience is, for a breath out of turn or a flick of the wrist at the wrong moment or even an extra drop of water can destroy hours of hard work.

We learned to respect the breath, the mood, the energy and the meanings. We learned to look at the plants and flowers around us, how the leaves swayed with the wind and how they glistened in the rain. This art is truly a reflection of the sum total of this civilization’s outlook, perception and philosophy of life.

If you haven’t tried it yet, do drop in for a tryst with the art of Chinese painting. Who knows where it may lead you!

By Harsha Dass Spouse of Director General India-Taipei Association

Chinese Knotting Group

I don’t know why, but I always like to collect beautiful strings. I like to make use of them in my crafts e.g. in string bags and bracelets. I had no luck previously finding any Chinese knotting class, so I was very happy when I saw it on the WITC activities list. I joined the class in late September - a bit of a surprise to learn that I was the only expat there. Later I made some friends through the club and learnt that some people like the idea of making Chinese knots but are afraid that they won’t master the skills. I agree with them, it’s not very easy to master. But from my own limited experience I can say that the difficulty can be overcome if you keep on practicing. The more you practice, the easier it becomes - at least you can’t be afraid when you’re right in the middle of the process. And you certainly feel so clever when you finish the target knot. The whole process of making Chinese knots turns your attention away from the

daily grind which is a great way to relieve stress, and enhance your concentration, your fine motor skills, and overall cognitive function.

I have only had a short period of time in this class, but I have noticed that even with just a few basic knots, e.g. Double-connection knot, Bazi-8 knot etc, you can apply them to make some interesting crafts, which are good for gifts. Also, you can have fun choosing the color of the strings for your own crafts, and then the design of the craft is yours, as original as it can be! That means you can find your creativity just by making those few basic knots you master. The key is not to be afraid to take up the challenge: making Chinese knots is actually less difficult than you think and more fun than you expected. Anyway, my comments for those who are thinking of joining this class are: believe in yourself, your skills and your creativity. It really doesn’t matter even if you create a new knot which challenges your teacher. Big smile!

By Theresa Lo Pearson Spouse of Director New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office

Exploration Group

The WTIC Exploration Group is a fun way to explore and learn about the many sights, sounds and people of Taipei. Together we learn more about the culture and history of this vibrant and exciting city.

Long time residents and newcomers alike, enjoy spending time exploring old favorites and newly discovered hidden treasures together. The efficient and comprehensive subway system makes traveling to unique and hidden gems throughout the city convenient and easy.

Our trips this year were diverse, learning about organic farming, the railways of Taiwan, the first Presidential Library in Taiwan, and a beautiful old Taiwanese farmhouse, a reminder of Taiwan’s agrarian history. We ended the year touring the underground tunnels of the iconic Grand Hotel.

~Martin’s Organic Strawberry Farm~

This past year, 2022, the Exploration Group began with a trip to Martin’s organic strawberry farm in the hills of Neihu. The weather was chilly, best for sweet delicious strawberries. We all enjoyed picking strawberries off the vines in the greenhouses, even new white strawberries.

Organic strawberries are sweet, with a thin delicate skin, perfect for a special treat for family and friends. Martin also produces organic turnips, so we tried making traditional Taiwanese turnip cakes, a first-time effort for most of us.

~National Taiwan Museum at Railway Department Park~

Our visit to the National Taiwan Museum at Railway Department Park, showed us how Railways have played a crucial role in the modernization of Taiwan. The renovation of the Moriyama Matsunosuke designed building gave us a glimpse of the golden age of rail travel and an appreciation for how it improved the lives of so many in rural Taiwan.

~Ching-Kuo Chi-Hai Cultural Park~

In the spring, we had the privilege of visiting the Chiang Ching Kuo Presidential Library and Cultural Park. Foundation President Fredrick Chien hosted us in the second floor Academic Library, sharing the history, vision and purpose of this magnificent library. Scholarly exchanges with academic institutions around the world help share the Taiwan experience in the twentieth Century. The Cultural Park also houses the private home President Chiang shared with his family. Left as it was, it is now a museum and a monument to his legacy.

~Lin An Tai Historical House & Museum~

The Lin An Tai Historical House is an excellent example of a well-to-do Taiwanese family in the late 19th and early 20th century. Beautifully preserved, maintaining excellent fengshui, the home is a reminder of life in agricultural Taiwan. We used the home as a backdrop for fun photos wearing traditional Taiwanese bridal dresses.

~Grand Hotel East Tunnel Tour~

An enduring symbol of Taipei, the Grand Hotel is a favorite Exploration Group trip. The magnificent palace style architecture is beautiful and full of history. The recently refurbished and newly opened east tunnel was fun to explore; a long walk led us to a secret opening, and a small garden. Madame Kong, the first General Manager of the Grand Hotel had a home near the entrance, which is now a museum sharing the unique history of the Grand Hotel.

The WTIC Exploration Group helps members enjoy the fun of exploration and cultural understanding together with friends from all corners of the globe. Together we learn about Taiwan’s unique history and dynamic future. The smiles, laughter and shared

experiences create precious memories for each of us to cherish and share with friends and family. These photos are some of our favorite memories of the trips we shared in 2022. We look forward to seeing friends both new and old in the Exploration Group trips in the coming year.

By Alison Davis

Golf Group

We have been very lucky this year to be healthy and able to enjoy our monthly golfing despite the COVID-19 pandemic. These golf activities are held at Taipei Golf Country Club which is one of the most historic golf clubs in Taiwan. Spouses are welcome to join as most ladies don’t drive, many thanks to our better halves for making these golf events possible!

When it comes to golfing, G stands for the green fields, O for oxygen, L for sunlight, F for friendship. On sunny days, while walking on the fairway lined by pine trees, the air is sweet and we’re able to appreciate the masterpiece of nature: blue skies with white clouds drifting in the green mountains. This beautiful natural scenery does wonders to improve mood immediately and worries are forgotten. It helps our mindset to relax and concentrate on hitting the ball. If we manage a good shot, the joy and contentment sure last for a long time! If it is a poor shot, the disappointment is short lived, as we’re always optimistic the next shot will be

better. Encouragement and praise are always generously given to each other.

Golfing is a great way to be healthy and make new friends. We recently welcomed Madam Achara

Janprajak, wife of the Representative of Thailand, to the golf group. Many thanks also to Madam Jeannie Tien for all her kind assistance.

The WTIC Golf Group and the Veteran Diplomats Golf Group held a Joint Competition at Gold Coast Golf Country Club to celebrate Mother’s Day this year. This friendly event was sponsored by WTIC member Ms. Celia Liao, the Vice Manager of the Gold Coast Golf Country Club. As l remember, that special event on the 5th of May was held at the northern coast of Taiwan where you can have a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean with the surging waves below.

As soon as we arrived at the club house, we were greeted by Celia who had very kindly prepared abundant food (sandwiches and boiled eggs) to boost our energy. The tee off time was around midday and while everyone looked at the gloomy skyline in doubt, Celia tried to encourage us to play at least a few holes for fun, so it was through her persuasion that we had the confidence to play and challenge the weather.

At the first hole, despite the misty, gray rainy day, the fragrant lilies in the fog looked so very elegant, tempting, and their aroma so sweet. As the drizzly misty rain continued to fall on the fairways, vision was poor and if it were not for the lady caddie’s guidance, we would have had much difficulty knowing where the bunkers lay. We played up and down the hills along the fairways lined with tall palm trees. Some of the windy holes sent the scores soaring and there were many bunkers and water hazards awaiting us nearby the cliffs. At that point, nobody cared about the weather, each determined to not give up a hole. Between shots, the strategy was to try and get back on the cart to save energy, or to get a glimpse of the fantastic coastline view below, and inhale the negative ions from the ocean air.

By the 17th hole, the weather had worsened, we all held onto our umbrellas tightly and the steam from our face masks blurred our glasses. Whenever we got ready to hit one stroke, we had to wipe our glasses beforehand and despite

donning our raincoats, we were all wet top to bottom in sweat. However, no one gave up and we all knew we had to keep moving the whole time to keep our bodies warm.

Finally, having completed the whole 18 holes, we were all so elated and had such a sense of achievement. We not only challenged ourselves, but also the bad weather. In the coffee shop of the club house, we laughed and celebrated with big cups of sweet and hot cocoa that once again were generously prepared by Celia. In the end, WTIC Golf Group co-chair Mrs Li-yung Wang Lee won the 4th prize in the Golf Competition Event, congratulations to her!

Many thanks again to Ms. Celia for her kind sponsorship and enthusiastic support that made this special event so successful and unforgettable. Also big thanks to all of our golf members for their support and enthusiastic participation! Wishing Madam Alice King a speedy recovery, we look forward to welcoming her back on the course with us soon. Lastly, I’d like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

By Charlene Yang

Gourmet Group

人世間，只有愛和美食不可辜負！

Only love and food cannot be resisted by mortal men (women). No matter whether your life is down or not, for those of us who live in Taipei, food is the one thing that won’t let us down.

Luckily, beginning in January 2022, the Gourmet Group is finally active again. We, the three foodies, can finally reach out again and select various Chinese and Western restaurants, in hopes of offering a diverse food culture experience this year.

In the cold month of January, the former chairperson of the Gourmet Group, Mrs. Zethu Damini, chose her favorite restaurant Jiyuan, as our gathering place before leaving Taiwan for her onward assignment. This restaurant is famous for its chicken soup casserole, and has been recommended by Michelin Guide for 4 years. Szechuan dishes, such as stir-fried green beans, shredded pork with Beijing sauce, scallion pancakes, are just some of their other offerings. After some warm chicken soup, we had a happy handover ceremony of the chairperson of our Gourmet Group.

After the Chinese New Year holidays in February, we had a great gathering in an Italian restaurant called Domani. In addition to the ceremonial classic appetizer salad and pizza, this restaurant also has a variety of other Italian dishes. All the prices are very reasonable.

Military dependents’ village, former communities of primarily military personnel and their families from China who came to Taiwan

in the late 1940’s, is an iconic place of culture in Taiwan. The flavor of this unique neighborhood cuisine is a mix of cooking from all regions of China. For the third time, the Gourmet Group came to Nancun Private Kitchen, which is run by a young man, who grew up in a military dependents’ village. We enjoyed Henan steamed noodles, dry pot potatoes, Mao Zedong’s braised pork buns, all of which are classic and delicious.

It was a pity that our April and May gatherings had to be cancelled due to the sudden seriousness of the epidemic in Taiwan. But, in September, we were able to begin our food exploration again. This time, considering that most of the members had the opportunity to enjoy western food during their summer travels, we chose a Hakka restaurant recommended by Michelin Guide, called May Snow Hakka Restaurant. The Hakka culture and cuisine is another characteristic of Taiwan. We enjoyed peeled pepper eggs, Hakka stir-fry, fresh fish and rice pot which are all signature Hakka dishes.

In October, the Gourmet Group held a joint program with the Art & Culture group and visited the Jewish Community Center to learn about Jewish culture and enjoy an authentic kosher meal.

In November, the Gourmet Group met at Renhe Garden to taste the essence of Yunan cuisine, from the region located on the southwestern border of China. It was a year of delicious eating!

By Jing Xu Rudorfer Spouse of Director Austrian Office Taipei

Sewing Group

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted everyone's life. This year, we did not have class for almost half a year. The sewing group finally started class in October and everyone became very busy preparing for the fashion performance in December. This year, we would like to thank two donors, the first is Madam Julie Chien, who is one of the founders and Honorary President of WTIC in Taipei. She donated many beautiful and very fine fabrics to the sewing class. Secondly, we wish to thank a friend of our teacher Professor Hsiao who donated a large batch of denim fabric to us. Therefore, it was decided that theme of this year’s Christmas Luncheon show will be clothes made of denim and fabrics from Madam Chien.

The students showed their creativity and worked hard on their projects. Here, we would like to thank you for your enthusiastic support and encouragement to the sewing class, and applaud these dedicated students during the show.

By Christine Shen

Table Tennis Group

I have a soft spot in my heart for table tennis. Those were the joyous days during my childhood playing “ping-pong” was a leisurely weekend pass-time together with my sisters and cousins. It is so very natural that I would join in table tennis group. Our group plays table tennis on Friday afternoon at the Ren-Ai Table Tennis Classroom. This Classroom is generously equipped with eight tables and hundreds of balls available for players. Other than private weekly coaching lesson to improve quality play, there is an automatic ball serving machine for Classroom members to be able to individually practice our skills of underspin, block, chop, or smash, etc. Frankly speaking, at my age, the

weekly play is but my choice of exercise to strengthen muscles, and hopefully to sweat out toxins from within my body.

Our passionate chairpersons, Tse-Yuan Shen and Patcharee Mønsted, make additional efforts to arrange a monthly group lunch gathering. I enjoy being in the group to embrace opportunities to chat, to laugh, to make new friends, and to know old friends better. Our friendship is as sweet as the clear sound when the paddle hits the pingpong ball right on the sweet spot!

By Joan Fuh

Taichichuan Group

We go into the new year full of expectations and we hope that we have the chance to intensify our training and enlarge our knowledge

Taichichuan, also called shadow boxing, is a very good way for everybody to keep fit and stay healthy. For this training, nobody is too young or too old. Also this makes Taichichuan so attractive and unique.

Taichichuan works wonders for health, fitness and figure. Regular training is suitable for stress reduction, which we all can use in our hectic everyday life.

Our WTIC Taichichuan interest group studies 37 movements from the 108 Yang movements developed by Master Cheng Man-Ching ( 鄭曼 青).

A big thank you to our lovely teacher, Alison, who kept me up to date on the activities of our Taichichuan Group also while I was in Germany for six months as part of Ukraine Aid. She teaches us with her decades of experience and is now also assisted by Mei-Ting Tsai.

When Alison asked me, as chair, if we would show on stage what we have learned so far, I said, "Yes, absolutely."

Every year, new members join our club and we hope to invite them to join us after they see our performance. We look forward to seeing you in class. It takes place every Thursday from 12:30 to 2:00pm

By Christiane Blohm

Zumba Group

After years of living back home in Wellington, New Zealand, I learnt that our next destination was Taiwan. I was a bit surprised but I felt happy too, because I had some fond memories of Taipei - my family lived there for several years at one stage when I was young. I thought that during the Covid 19 pandemic many expats preferred coming back home, but we were going away … anyway, we prepared ourselves for the mission. At least the residence in Taipei we were to live in had its own gym, and I would have the chance to restart my gym habit.

I found I could use the gym privately and do exercise, but apart from that nothing much. Then Mrs Jeannie Tien invited me to join the WTIC club which offered Zumba classes among others. Anyway, my first Zumba dance class was in late September, and it’s great fun!! The teacher, Katie is wonderful. She is musical and a beautiful dancer. She always designs a dance in progression, from easy to advanced. Most importantly she is very patient with us, especially when I am there. By repeating the steps and

teaching step-bystep with a big smile - what more can you ask for?

I’m absolutely happy with the Zumba class. It relieves stress, especially from the Covid 19 environment, it keeps me fit, it enables me to exercise my motor skills, boosts my heart health and what’s more it makes me feel I can dance. Yes, I can dance! Of course, you know what I mean - not elegant, Chinese classical movements but energetic ‘rock and roll’ music which allows you to practice your motor skills along with Latin rhythm and international music. Now, my challenge is to keep my steps looking right and move along beautifully with the teacher as most of my classmates do. Big challenge, but I am sure I can crack it in the next few years. Ha, ha!

By Theresa Lo Pearson Spouse of Director New Zealand Commerce and Industry office

Special Events

~Beauty-Full Korea~ Hanbok Fashion Show in Taipei

On November 11th, the Korean Mission in Taipei held the first ever Hanbok Fashion Show titled “BeautyFull Korea” in the Huashan Creative Park. It was organized to introduce the beauty of Korean traditional clothing, Hanbok, to the Taiwanese public, so we brought a carefully selected collection of Hanboks, from royal-class garments to hand-painted skirts to modern-style dresses. Three Hanbok designers from Korea collaborated with us and hand-crafted every piece of Hanbok, and staff from the Korean Culture Association helped organize the logistics. The two-week period before the show was a heavy raining season, and since the silk texture of Hanbok is particularly vulnerable to humidity, we checked every day to make sure the clothes are safe from any dampness or mold.

On the event night, Deputy Minister of the Taiwan Ministry of Culture Hsiao Tsung-huang, Deputy Minister of the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang, members of WTIC, and many other officials from diplomatic corps and government graced our event with their presence. As the representative of the

Korean Mission, my husband and I wore Hanbok as well to greet the guests with traditional Korean clothing. With the magnificent sound of gong, the show started. 32 model students from University of Taipei volunteered as models for our show, and it was wonderful to see the Taiwanese models wearing Hanbok and showcasing the Korean aesthetics to the public. In a sense, it was a visual spectacle of KoreaTaiwan collaboration. I would like to once again express my gratitude for the University of Taipei and the Korean Culture Association for supporting our first Hanbok Fashion Show in Taiwan. Next time we host the Hanbok fashion show again, I wish more members from WTIC could join and savor the beauty of traditional Korean aesthetics.

By Eun-jin Kim Spouse of the Representative Korean Mission in Taipei

~Forum and 2022 General Assembly~ at National Council of Women of Taiwan, ROC

WTIC is affiliated to National Council of Women of Taiwan, pledging to join hands to fulfill our advocacy to the mission of promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. WTIC sent representatives to attend “Women’s Economic Empowerment

– Road to Happy Family” Forum held by NCW Taiwan on October 27th, and NCW Taiwan 2022 General Assembly on December 10th.

By Jeannie Tien President of WTIC

~Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival) Exhibition~ at Yang San Lang Museum

In Japan, Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival)” takes place on March 3rd. This is a day to pray for a young girl’s growth and happiness. It is also called “Momo no sekku (Peach Festival)” because it coincides with the peach blossom season according to the old lunar calendar.

Most families with girls display “hinaningyo” (special dolls for Hinamatsuri) and dedicate peach blossoms to them. They are usually arranged on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet, with the doll representing the empress at the top, and lower ranked attendants or entertainers below.

The practice of displaying these dolls began during the Edo period (1603-1868). It started as a way of warding off evil spirits, with the dolls acting as a charm. Even today, people in some parts of the country release paper dolls into rivers

after the festival, praying that the dolls take people’s place in carrying away sickness and bad fortune.

There is also a superstition related to this festival, since it is believed that if the Hinamatsuri dolls are not put aside soon after the 3rd day of March; the daughters in the family will marry late. These dolls are placed with the start of the solar term of “yu-shui” in February, with blessings for a good marriage.

It is a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to let everyone know about a part of Japanese traditional culture. In the future, as a member of the Taiwan-Japan Cultural Bridge, I will hold various activities of this kind for everyone to experience and enjoy good memories together.

By Mrs. Noriko Young 越村のりこ (P.S. Translated from Japanese

王宸玲)

text into English by

NCW 2022 General Assembly NCW Forum

~A Message from H. E. Jasmine E. Huggins~ Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis in Taiwan (2010-2022)

Western norms and mores to acceptance of Eastern values and cultures was made easier through the invaluable friendships, curiosity, time and a willingness to open oneself to new experiences.

“Home away from home”, the cliched phrase that connotes feelings of warmth and affinity for a location not readily or necessarily associated with your regular place of abode. However, after almost fifteen years of living in beautiful Taiwan, that phrase for me, is no longer a cliché but rather an emotive fact. Taiwan’s evolution as a vibrant democracy, cautiously welcoming of strangers, is commensurate with the evolution of my feelings towards Taiwan as the years ensued. The strangeness of the language, the music, and in some instances the food (notably stinky tofu) or collectively the culture, when first encountered, is overwhelmingly challenging. Such was the case in December 2007 upon my arrival.

The period of Christmastide when Western cultures recognize and celebrate the joyous Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus and the gathering of family and friends, would not have been the most opportune time for a posting to a country so culturally different. However, over the years I have witnessed and been privileged to enjoy the many events that celebrate this most important Season, an acknowledgment that diversity within the society was being fostered and welcomed. This a small sampling of Taiwan’s progression and its peoples’ embrace of others and other cultures. Moreover, the transition from

By 2022, the powerhouse that is Taiwan, achieved its global recognition and importance, by cementing of old, and cultivating of new friendships, innovating and reimagining obsolete paradigms and shifting its attitude towards nonTaiwanese residents. I have also noted with great admiration that Taiwan and its citizens have strengthened their core values and have risen to the challenges when faced with natural and manmade disasters. There is no perfect society but perfection after all is a goal, not a state, and the complexities of this global environment have been faced by the Taiwanese public with courage, stoicism and resilience. I have seen great strides in so many facets of national life though my interaction and friendships with Taiwanese

photo credit by MOFA

photo credit by CNA

at all levels and strata of the society and I am constantly amazed at their adjustments to new concepts and optimism for the future. I have been blessed by the many friendships I have made, the memorable experiences I have enjoyed, and as I sit in my home in Virginia reflecting on my years in Taiwan, I feel truly grateful for the time spent, and anticipate with high hopes, an exceptional promising future for this amazing country.

~ See you again, my dear friends ~

Thank you for joining the WTIC family and sharing your culture and friendship with all of us. It’s always difficult and sad to see friends leave but we know our bond is not broken by the distance. All of your contributions to WTIC are what makes our club special and strong. We hope memories of your WTIC sisters will always bring a smile to your face and warm your heart. We will not forget you and hope to see you again!

Mønsted, Patcharee M. — Denmark

It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to this wonderful community. My time here has been filled with unforgettable experiences and memories, all thanks to WTIC friends. Your warm welcome, kindness, friendship and support have made my stay in Taiwan truly special, and I am grateful for every moment we shared.

As I embark on a new chapter in my life, I carry with me the memories and lessons learned here. I hope that our paths will cross again soon, and I wish each and every one of you the very best in all your endeavors.

Arely, Gómez Guatemala

I will remember Taiwan and all the lovely members of WTIC. Thank you and best wishes to everyone.

Bautista Guevara, Eny Yamileth Honduras

I want to thank President Jeannie Tien and all the wonderful members of WTIC for the gift of friendship and all the beautiful memories from the WTIC events. Best wishes to everyone and I hope our paths will cross again.

I am grateful for the kindness and generosity that WTIC members have shown me. It was a privilege to spend time in Taipei with the utmost kind people. I hope to see you again in the near future.

Thank you and goodbye to all my friends at WTIC. May you receive more blessings and cheers during the Holiday Season. I hope to see you again.

It was my great honor to volunteer and be an active member of WTIC for four years. I had the pleasure and opportunity to participate in the abundant activities offered by the club, which allowed me to absorb wisdom and experience from the beloved sisters of the club and also to establish lifelong friendships and companions. With wholehearted love, I will bring the positive spirit that WTIC has instilled in me to Sweden. There, I will also diligently serve and strive for the best for my country.

I will treasure all the friendships I made in Taiwan and think of you often. During the last four years, I have enjoyed all the WTIC events and activities; especially playing with the table tennis group. Thank you again for all your friendships and hope to see you in the future!

Fernandez, Maria Bettina Phillippine

Sophia Chiang Gu Taiwan, ROC

Wakami Chu USA

Kim, Eun Jin Korea

BRAZIL

International Women’s Club of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul

GERMANY

•International Women’s Club Hamburg e.V. www.iwchh.com

• Anglo-German International Women’s Association e. V www.agiwa-hamburg.de

INDONESIA

Women’s International Club Jakarta www.wic-jakarta.or.id

KOREA

Welcome to Korea International Club www.wkic.or.kr/en/

Welcome Clubs International Member Clubs

LEBANON

•Women’s League of Beirut www.aub.edu.lb

•VIA Lebanon International Club

(Vision of International Awareness)

REPUBLIC OF CHINA [Taiwan]

Welcome to Taipei International Club www.wtic.org.tw

TURKEY

Welcome to Turkish Cyprus Club

UNITED KINGDOM

•Welcome to London International Club www.welcometolondonclub.co.uk/

•FIWAL – Federation of International Women’s Associations in London www.fiwal.org.uk

UNITED STATES

CALIFORNIA : Women’s International Border Club

COLORADO : Welcome to Colorado International Club

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA : Welcome to Washington International Club www.welcometowashingtonclub.org

FLORIDA :

•Broward International Women’s Club Ft. Lauderdale www.browardinternationalwomensclub.org

• Welcome to Florida International Club

Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs www.wflicswfl.org

MAINE : International Women’s Club of New England www.iwcne.net

PENNSYLVANIA : International Women’s Club of Philadelphia

www.iwcp.org

WTIC Board of Directors and Supervisors

Women from all over the world share the same interest, wherever they may come from and wherever they may be.