Taiwanese-American Traditional Week Park Fun Fair Invites You to Enjoy Bubble Milk Tea.

In preparation for the Asian American Heritage Month in May, the Taiwanese American community in Greater Los Angeles has organized a series of events to celebrate. Among them are performances by FOCA Formosa Circus from Taiwan, the highly anticipated Taiwanese American Traditional Week Carnival, as well as art and cultural exhibitions, lectures, and sports competitions organized by various groups in Southern California.

At a press conference on April 16 (Tuesday), the Taiwanese American Traditional Week Committee in Greater Los Angeles announced the kick-off of the 2024 Taiwanese American Traditional Week series of events. This year, the overall coordinator, Rebecca Ran, once again showcased creativity and leadership by organizing a variety of activities spanning different generations, welcoming both old and new faces to join in the festivities.

The series of events kicked off with the “Silver Generation Joyful Fashion Show” hosted by the Southern California Taiwanese Elderly Association on April 20 at the Los Angeles Taiwanese Hall. Grandpas and grandmas over 60 and 70 years old took to the runway, showcasing the abundant vitality of the first-generation Taiwanese immigrants.

On April 21, Choyce Guo, who has amassed 410,000 followers on Facebook and recently relocated to Los Angeles, gave a talk on “Building a Healthy Family Plan.” She shared health tips and demonstrated the making of health tea bags and nutritious snacks on site.

On May 5, the Taiwanese American Youth Center in Greater Los Angeles welcomed people to experience the Coming of Age Ceremony from Tainan, Taiwan. The “Taiwanese Coming of Age” event held from 2 pm to 4 pm aimed to introduce Taiwanese American youth to the traditional cultural customs of Tainan, distinct from the American-style Sweet Sixteen celebrations.

The “Taiwanese American Traditional Week Carnival” organized by the Los Angeles Taiwanese Hall will take place on May 18 (Saturday) at Barnes Park in Monterey Park. In addition to exciting stage performances, there will be food stalls, children’s play exhibitions, and raffle activities, with the grand prize being a round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to Taipei. This year’s highlight of the carnival is the addition of the “Taiwanese Bubble Tea Festival” guided by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. Through the popular Taiwanese beverage that originated in Taiwan and has gained global popularity, attendees can make friends across different ethnic groups and promote Taiwanese culture.

The Taiwanese American Children’s Creative Painting Competition will also take place simultaneously with the carnival on May 18. This year’s theme is “Resilience and Recovery.” Parents are welcome to bring their children to participate in on-site painting, enjoy Taiwanese cuisine, and appreciate a variety of performances. The competition includes categories for preschoolers, Elementary School Level A, and Elementary School Level B, with cash prizes of $200, $100, and $50 for the top three respectively, along with a $100 prize for the most popular entry.

On May 19, a cultural exchange group from Taiwan, FOCA Formosa Circus, will perform “Songs of the Land” at the El Monte High School Auditorium, featuring a blend of contemporary circus and classic songs from various eras in Taiwan. The performance aims to bring a splendid show to overseas Taiwanese compatriots, with free admission. For ticket inquiries, please contact: 626-307-4881.

Deputy Director Chang Cheng-yu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles expressed his gratitude to the Taiwanese overseas community in Southern California for their mobilization and efforts, as the annual Taiwanese American Traditional Week event helps introduce Taiwan to mainstream American society. Taiwanese immigrants have been settling in the United States for over half a century, establishing roots, developing, and prospering in their respective communities, earning recognition from various ethnicities. He wished for the successful completion of the Taiwanese American Traditional Week activities.

On May 18 and 19, the Taiwanese Art Association will host a summer art exhibition at the Los Angeles Overseas Community Center. On May 25, there are two events scheduled: Lily Chuan Ya-yun will hold the fifth annual “Taiwanese Song Splendor” concert at the Los Angeles Overseas Community Center Auditorium, while the Taiwan Hall Ping Pong Association will organize a Taiwanese Traditional Week Ping Pong Tournament at the Los Angeles Taiwanese Hall.

On June 1 and 2, the HUNG Family Association in America will host the “Dragon Soars in Tainan for 400 Years” Taiwan Photography Classic Exhibition at the Los Angeles Overseas Community Center. On June 8, the second-generation Taiwanese American-founded charity foundation, Madhatter Knits, will hold a knitting event to make small hats for premature babies warm at the Los Angeles Taiwanese Hall.

Rebecca Ran mentioned that the Los Angeles Taiwanese Hall was established in 1998 and hosts the “Taiwanese American Traditional Week” every May to recognize the contributions of Taiwanese Americans to the U.S. economy, culture, and various fields. The event aims to introduce Taiwanese traditional cultural backgrounds to mainstream American society, allowing mainstream friends to understand “Taiwan” and “Taiwanese Americans” while enhancing communication and interaction between Taiwanese Americans and mainstream or other ethnic groups through the celebration activities of “Taiwanese American Traditional Week.”

Director Wu Chao-feng of the Taiwanese Hall pointed out that while the Taiwanese American Traditional Week has experienced committee members, preparations typically begin two to three months in advance of the event. With this year’s Taiwan presidential election and the earthquake in Hualien, members have been busier than ever. Despite limited meeting times, their long-term accumulated experience and rapport have enabled them to successfully plan over a dozen activities, surpassing expectations. Residents of Greater Los Angeles, Taiwanese Americans, and Taiwanese friends of various ethnicities are welcomed to join in the Taiwanese American Traditional Week series of events. ◇