WTIC celebrates Chinese New Year
Feb.17, 2009



A group of Welcome to Taipei International Club (WTIC) ladies model creative scarf designs at this year's WTIC Chinese New Year Luncheon earlier this week in Taipei City. (Akie Ang, The China Post)

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Feb.21, 2009 By Erika Wang, The China Post

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Powerful tenors moved the audience with a selection of opera classics, while energetic dancers delighted with an array of cheerful contemporary tunes.

Live demonstrations of Chinese painting paid homage to traditional culture, while a colorful fashion show added a modern flair.

Now in its 23rd year, the Welcome to Taipei International Club (WTIC) celebrated its Chinese New Year Luncheon earlier this week with a plethora of entertainment acts and activities that underscored the spirit of camaraderie and joy of the festivity.

WTIC is a sister club of the Welcome Clubs International (WCI), an organization of women's clubs around the world that share a common goal of cross-cultural education and understanding.

The WTIC comprises about 300 foreign and local members representing over 60 nationalities and who come from diplomatic, business, and other sectors.

“I hope that all our friends from overseas, especially those who spent their first Lunar New Year here in our country, had a chance to experience the festivities and enjoy some Taiwanese-style hospitality,” said Lena Ou, president of WTIC and wife of Foreign Affairs Minister Francisco Ou, during her opening remarks.

“I trust that today will also leave you with some fond memories,” she added with a smile.
The WTIC was founded in 1986 by Julie Chien, wife of then-representative to Washington D.C., Fredrick Chien. Being a member of the Welcome to Washington International Club, she introduced the spirit of the club to Taiwan as the first of its kind in Asia, she explained.

“We don't talk politics or religion, but we share the same willingness to help others,” said Ou. “We want to give a little bit of our hearts so we can form closer bonds with our international friends.”

Also at hand for the celebration was Susan Chu, wife of Vice President Vincent Siew and a senior WTIC member. Chu said the club allows the foreign members to experience not only the local culture but many other different aspects of Taiwan, so that when they go back to their own countries they can be “spokespersons for Taiwan.”

“It's been a few years since I attended the last time. Coming back here today gives me a very warm feeling,” said Chu, who said she joined the WTIC practically since its beginning. “I'm very happy to see so many old friends and get to know new friends today.”

“The WTIC is always on my mind since its establishment,” remarked Cecilia Y. Koo, chairwoman of the National Women's League of the Republic of China and honorary consultant of WTIC at its inauguration.

Koo, wife of late business tycoon C.F. Koo, said that even though she and her late husband were not diplomats, they traveled “thousands of miles to promote country to country relations and people to people friendships.”

“Taipei is really a beautiful city,” she added. “We welcome our international friends to visit us, to share the beauty of our city, and to enjoy the warm hospitality of our people.”
“I'm so pleased to know that there is an organization that is dedicated to presenting Taiwan and the good things about Taiwan,” said Japanese native Mayumi Hu, who has been a WTIC member for the past two years since moving from Washington, D.C.

“I've been to a lot of countries but I can't recall any organization that dedicates itself voluntarily to this end,” she added. “They all work out of their heart!”

Hu also pointed out that the WTIC not only promotes Taiwan but other countries as well by hosting cultural activities such as a recent showcase on Spain.

For me it's always a great pleasure to be part of this event,” said Magdalena Doleckova, wife of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office Representative Jaroslav Dolecek. “The most special thing is the opportunity to meet new people and new ladies and to see always very interesting programs!”

“I always look forward to the people,” agreed Ingrid Goedhart, wife of the Netherlands Trade and Investment Office Representative Menno Goedhart. “I've been a member for six years. Everything is special! There are a lot of very good performances.”

“When I first came, it was so great to meet not only other foreigners but also many Taiwanese friends. Some of my dearest friends I've met here, so I have a very soft spot in my heart for WTIC,” said Sally Beardsley, wife of Trade Commission of Denmark Director Flemming Aggergaard.

“The first couple of years we all sang two or three songs together. One year they moved the tables back and then all the ladies were just salsa dancing together!” recalls Beardsley about the most memorable WTIC events she has attended in her past five years in Taiwan.

“The event was very, very nice, with a wonderful program and fantastic singers!” said Louise Bystrom, wife of Henrik Bystrom, head of the Exportradet Taipei, Swedish Trade Council.

“It's a way of welcoming us and teaching us about the different cultures,” she noted. “The genuineness and politeness of Taiwanese people is something you should be proud of,” stressed Bystrom.

Doleckova, Beardsley and Bystrom were among the ladies who participated in a vibrant scarf fashion show that opened the entertainment portion of the program.

“Everything was great! The (fashion) show was very beautiful, and a lot of fun!” enthused Angeles Comesana, a native of Spain who shined as a bride in the scarf fashion show.
To add to the celebration, this year for the first time in the WTIC's history, the members' husbands were invited to join in the event.

One such gentleman was Martin Munoz-Ledo, head of the Mexican Trade Services Documentation and Cultural Office in Taiwan and husband of Cecilia Arreaga, who also modeled in the fashion show.

Asked how he felt about attending his first WTIC Chinese New Year luncheon, Munoz-Ledo said: “It's an honor to be here. The fact that my wife is here is an important reason to attend.”

“It's very interesting for me to learn how the diplomatic ladies here get along with each other,” he added. “It's been a really nice surprise and I'm happy to see that they know how to have fun as well!”

“It's an honor for me that my wife is here (participating in the fashion show), especially because it gives us an opportunity to show what Mexicans are like, what we look like, how we are, how we talk,” he noted.

“Mexicans are handsome, hard workers, happy, and also very warm — just like Taiwanese!” he added smilingly.

“It's a very nice experience to be part of the show,” said Munoz-Ledo's wife Arreaga. “I enjoyed everything!”

Designer Lee Lin-hui, who put together the scarf fashions featured at the luncheon, said the show took a total of three weekly meetings to coordinate. “I chose the different looks for the ladies based on what they liked and what they felt comfortable wearing. It was great fun!”

Other highlights of the event included a lively raffle, always a popular activity of the event, and live Chinese painting demonstrations by Jyn-Tzy Wang, chairwoman of the Taipei Chinese Painting Art Research Association and WTIC interest group teacher.


From left: Lena Ou; Susan Chu, wife of Vice President Vincent Siew; and Cecilia Y. Koo, chairwoman of the National Women's League of the Republic of China, smile for the cameras. (Akie Ang, The China Post)


From left: Sally Beardsley, wife of Trade Commission of Denmark Director Flemming Aggergaard; Eva Maria d'Almeida, wife of Sao Tome and Principe Ambassador Ladislau d'Almeida; and Mariame Kande-Juwara, wife of the Gambian Ambassador Mawdo C. Juwara, display their raffle prizes. (Akie Ang, The China Post)