Vienna 'Taiwan Day' Concert, Film, and Cuisine Trio

(Central News Agency, Vienna, 7th) The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Austria hosted the 'Taiwan Day' event on the 7th, starting with a morning performance by the Taipei Chinese Orchestra at the Golden Hall, followed by an afternoon Taiwan Human Rights Film Festival. Outside the cinema, authentic Taiwanese cuisine was served, allowing over a thousand guests from East and West to personally experience a whirlwind of Taiwanese culture. The 2026 European Taiwan Cultural Year, organized by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Austria, continues in Vienna. On the 6th, the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and other units co-hosted a Dragon Boat Festival rowing event, showcasing the unity of the Vienna overseas community. The venue also featured charity food stalls set up by overseas compatriots, offering items from zongzi (rice dumplings) to tofu pudding, which were well-received and sold out shortly after opening. Representative Liu Hsuan-yung stated in a media interview that the activities of the Vienna overseas community have transformed from the former 'Chinese New Year' ball into a 'Lunar New Year Ball' reflecting local cultural identity. 'Through these unofficial activities, the vitality of Taiwanese civil society is demonstrated, and now everyone can clearly distinguish the difference between Taiwan and Thailand,' he said. Liu noted that one of the highlights of this European Taiwan Cultural Year is the Taipei Chinese Orchestra's performance at the Golden Hall. 'The entire concert features works composed by Taiwanese composers, rich in Taiwanese elements. More impressively, we invited German-based cellist Yang Wen-sin to perform works by Taiwanese composer Tyzen Hsiao with the Taipei Chinese Orchestra, allowing the audience to hear the fusion of the refined structure of Western classical instruments with the traditional silk and bamboo sounds of the East,' he said. Liu explained that Western symphonic music emphasizes precise pitch and harmony, while Eastern traditional instruments are rich in the performer's personal emotion and color. 'The Taipei Chinese Orchestra has overcome the structural limitations of traditional instruments to refine high-level harmonies, which is very worthy of introduction,' he added. Liu said that Austrians who come to hear the Chinese orchestra surely want to know what Taiwanese elements are present and how traditional Eastern instruments and Western instruments can be fused and innovated. A musician himself, Liu serves as an excellent music ambassador, speaking fluently on professional music topics. He noted that traditional instruments, unlike Western instruments, are not standardized, which can sometimes be 'maddening,' but the Taipei Chinese Orchestra has overcome these difficult pitch issues. 'That is professionalism,' he said. In addition to the musical feast, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Austria extended its artistic reach to human rights films this year, hosting the 'Taiwan Human Rights Film Festival' at the Metro Kinokulturhaus cinema. The festival screened landmark films highlighting Taiwan's democratic development and local human rights concerns, including 'Da Meng.' The office also prepared Taiwanese specialty snacks such as fried rice noodles and braised eggs with pork, aiming to make friends through art and Taiwanese cuisine. Liu emphasized that 'Taiwan Day' is a first attempt to test the waters, and he hopes it can continue. 'Holding events is an excellent tool for breaking the ice, showcasing Taiwan's cultural and artistic standards, and highlighting Taiwan's subjectivity,' he said. Liu also mentioned the recent performance in Vienna by the Hualien County Youth Panpipes Troupe, saying, 'The music is beautiful and helps people understand the rich indigenous cultural heritage of Hualien. We make friends through culture and will continue to promote substantive relations between Taiwan and Austria in all aspects.' (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150607