30th Anniversary of Presidential Direct Election Series Events to Begin on May 9th, Presidential Office Invites Public Participation
Taiwan's Presidential Office will host a series of events starting May 9th to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the direct presidential election. These events, including special exhibitions, democracy history lectures, and concerts, aim to encourage the public to reflect on the history of democracy and pass it on to future generations.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 16:56
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Central News Agency (CNA) reported from Taipei on May 7th that Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui today stated that to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the direct presidential election, the Presidential Office will launch a series of events starting May 9th, covering three main themes: special exhibitions, democracy history lectures, and concerts, as well as postal commemorative merchandise. The public is invited to look back at the historic moment of Taiwan's first direct presidential election in 1996, re-understand the hard-won nature of democracy, and pass on this shared memory to the next generation.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's direct presidential election. The Presidential Office held a press conference this morning to announce the "30th Anniversary of the Presidential Direct Election" series of events and details of the Presidential Office's open house activities. Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an and Deputy Secretaries-General Ho Chih-wei and Cheng Chun-sheng all attended the press conference, representing the Presidential Office in welcoming the public to jointly witness this milestone in Taiwan's democratic system.
Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui stated that the related series includes three main themed activities. First, the Presidential Office will officially launch the "1996.03.23 – A Watershed Moment" special exhibition series on May 9th, the opening day. The theme is "Taiwan's First Ballot for Democracy: The First Direct Presidential Election and the Taiwan Strait Missile Crisis," leading everyone back to the historic moment 30 years ago when the Taiwanese people first elected their president by ballot, and recalling how Taiwan firmly completed its democratic choice despite the Taiwan Strait Missile Crisis at the time.
Second, the "Democracy History Remedial Class" series of activities will also begin simultaneously. On May 9th at 10:00 AM, documentary filmmaker of the democracy movement Chiu Wan-hsing will give a special lecture on "Historical Memories of 30 Years of Presidential Direct Election for Democracy"; in addition, on June 6th at 10:00 AM, Lan Shih-po, CEO of the 228 Memorial Foundation, will give a special lecture on "Electing a President is Never Simple! A Side Observation of Taiwan's Post-War Democratic Development."
Kuo Ya-hui said that through lectures and film screenings, the public can understand Taiwan's 30-year journey of democracy in a more resonant and relaxed way.
Third, the "Presidential Office Concert" will be jointly organized by the Presidential Office and the General Association of Chinese Culture this year, with the theme "Democratic Taiwan, Warm Southern Songs." It will take place on May 23rd at the Pingtung County Stadium. Through musical performances, songs belonging to the Taiwanese people will be sung, and the warmth of democratic Taiwan will be felt together.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that the Presidential Office open house event on May 9th has prepared three surprises, including the limited distribution of "30th Anniversary of the Presidential Direct Election Commemorative Edition Kuai Kuai" snacks; a flash mob music performance will be held in the Presidential Office lobby by the Taipei European School, National Symphony Orchestra, and National Youth Symphony Orchestra, bringing wonderful performances of harp, flute, choir, and string quartet, conveying Taiwan's open and international cultural inclusiveness; the public is invited to write blessings for democratic Taiwan on "Democracy Postcards."
She said that Chunghwa Post Co. will also cooperate by launching related activities. On May 9th, the public can create "personalized stamps" on-site at the Presidential Office; on May 20th, the anniversary of the President and Vice President's inauguration, "30th Anniversary of the Presidential Direct Election Commemorative Stamps" will be issued, including first-day covers, souvenir cards, and miniature sheets, recording this important moment in Taiwan's democracy in the most historic form.
Kang Chia-fang, Deputy Convener of Chunghwa Post's Business Strategy Design Committee, said that 15,000 limited edition Democracy Postcards will be available, and thousands are expected to be collected on May 9th, the Presidential Office open house day. Due to limited quantities, Chunghwa Post will reserve 6,000 copies for distribution at its related outlets. (Editor: Su Chih-tsung) 1150507
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's direct presidential election. The Presidential Office held a press conference this morning to announce the "30th Anniversary of the Presidential Direct Election" series of events and details of the Presidential Office's open house activities. Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an and Deputy Secretaries-General Ho Chih-wei and Cheng Chun-sheng all attended the press conference, representing the Presidential Office in welcoming the public to jointly witness this milestone in Taiwan's democratic system.
Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui stated that the related series includes three main themed activities. First, the Presidential Office will officially launch the "1996.03.23 – A Watershed Moment" special exhibition series on May 9th, the opening day. The theme is "Taiwan's First Ballot for Democracy: The First Direct Presidential Election and the Taiwan Strait Missile Crisis," leading everyone back to the historic moment 30 years ago when the Taiwanese people first elected their president by ballot, and recalling how Taiwan firmly completed its democratic choice despite the Taiwan Strait Missile Crisis at the time.
Second, the "Democracy History Remedial Class" series of activities will also begin simultaneously. On May 9th at 10:00 AM, documentary filmmaker of the democracy movement Chiu Wan-hsing will give a special lecture on "Historical Memories of 30 Years of Presidential Direct Election for Democracy"; in addition, on June 6th at 10:00 AM, Lan Shih-po, CEO of the 228 Memorial Foundation, will give a special lecture on "Electing a President is Never Simple! A Side Observation of Taiwan's Post-War Democratic Development."
Kuo Ya-hui said that through lectures and film screenings, the public can understand Taiwan's 30-year journey of democracy in a more resonant and relaxed way.
Third, the "Presidential Office Concert" will be jointly organized by the Presidential Office and the General Association of Chinese Culture this year, with the theme "Democratic Taiwan, Warm Southern Songs." It will take place on May 23rd at the Pingtung County Stadium. Through musical performances, songs belonging to the Taiwanese people will be sung, and the warmth of democratic Taiwan will be felt together.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that the Presidential Office open house event on May 9th has prepared three surprises, including the limited distribution of "30th Anniversary of the Presidential Direct Election Commemorative Edition Kuai Kuai" snacks; a flash mob music performance will be held in the Presidential Office lobby by the Taipei European School, National Symphony Orchestra, and National Youth Symphony Orchestra, bringing wonderful performances of harp, flute, choir, and string quartet, conveying Taiwan's open and international cultural inclusiveness; the public is invited to write blessings for democratic Taiwan on "Democracy Postcards."
She said that Chunghwa Post Co. will also cooperate by launching related activities. On May 9th, the public can create "personalized stamps" on-site at the Presidential Office; on May 20th, the anniversary of the President and Vice President's inauguration, "30th Anniversary of the Presidential Direct Election Commemorative Stamps" will be issued, including first-day covers, souvenir cards, and miniature sheets, recording this important moment in Taiwan's democracy in the most historic form.
Kang Chia-fang, Deputy Convener of Chunghwa Post's Business Strategy Design Committee, said that 15,000 limited edition Democracy Postcards will be available, and thousands are expected to be collected on May 9th, the Presidential Office open house day. Due to limited quantities, Chunghwa Post will reserve 6,000 copies for distribution at its related outlets. (Editor: Su Chih-tsung) 1150507