 Foreign ladies from the diplomatic corps and some foreign business firms recently enjoyed a warm, entertaining, and educational Chinese Lantern Festival gathering hosted by the Welcome to Taipei International Club.
Vice President Vincent Siew’s wife Chu Su-hsien and Premier Wu Tung-yi’s wife Tsai Lin-yi gave each participant a beautiful “red envelop” decorated with a golden tiger. While Mrs. Siew’s gift was inscribed: “Lucky tiger produces wind; the vehemence is as the rainbow spanning the sky.” Mrs. Wu’s gift said: “ The lucky tiger brings treasure; the wind and rain bring a bountiful harvest.” WTIC President Charlene Yang, wife of the Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Yang, explained that according to Chinese tradition, this year marks the third sign of the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Tiger. This majestic animal symbolizes passion, humanity, generosity, power and vigor.
She also said:” We are blessed to live in a stable, prosperous and peaceful environment and to have this opportunity to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival. We maintain an optimistic attitude about our future, but we do not take our good fortune for granted.”
Mrs. Siew has been a long-time member of the WTIC. She said she felt that Chinese Lunar New Year would bring family reunion. Coming to a WTIC gathering is always a festive event – to see old friends, and to meet new ones from all over the world, she remarked.
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(from left) Sylvette Collard from France; Ingrid Goedhart, wife of Netherlands Representative Menno Goedhart; Louise Bystrom, director of “Taiwan this Month”. |
She further praised WTIC’s activities during the past 24 years. WTIC is indeed a bridge between the East and the West and a window on Taiwan, Republic of China. It opens hearts and arms to all the foreigners who come to Taiwan, to give them assistance, to help them understand the local environment and customs, and to give them a sweet feeling of home.
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(from left) Lorena Eroktem, wife of Turkey Representative; Michal Gamzou, wife of Isreali Representative Raphael Gamzou; Mayumi Hu, wife of Tony Hu from AIT. |
Mrs. Pascale W. Chouloute, wife of the Minister Counselor Mario Chouloute, Embassy of the Republic of Haiti, thanked the ladies on behalf of the government of Haiti for the donations of NT$72,200 from the WTIC and NT$96,000 from the National Women’s League of the Republic of China. She said the people of Haiti appreciated Taiwan’s warm benevolence, and they could use this donation to help rebuild their homeland, which was devastated by a massive earthquake.
This WTIC gathering was highlighted by the singing of the famous soprano Professor Mei-yen Kao who led all the quests to sing “Kung-his! Kung-his!” (Good luck to You). The vibrant and uplifting percussion music was performed by the Taipei National University of the Arts, led by Professor Ju Tzong-ching.
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Mrs Chu Su-hsien, wife of Vice President Vincent Siew, said she felt that Chinese Lunar New Year brings reunion with family.
 (from left) Betty Chang, president of National Council of Women of the ROC; and Mrs. Wu Tung-yi, wife of the Premier.
(from left) Margaret Ledoux, wife of the Head of European Economic and Trade Office Guy Ledoux; Margaret Pei.
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