NEW YORK — Taipei Cultural Center in New York (TCCNY) marked its 35th anniversary July 7, 2026, with a lively event at Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. The gathering brought New York's arts community and Taiwanese artists together,celebrating decades of cultural ties between Taiwan and the U.S.
Noteworthy guests included figures from MoMA,the Taiwanese American Arts Council (TAAC),and New York Taiwan Pride team. It was a moment to reflect on past partnerships and consider future collaborations in North America .
The evening kicked off with a performance by Sauljaljui, a Paiwan singer making her North American debut,backed by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture. Her songs in Indigenous languages, with traditional moon guitar,struck a chord with the audience. Guests savored Taiwanese treats like gua-bao and salt-and-pepper chicken.
Tom Chih-Chiang Lee, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, spoke about diverse influences shaping Taiwanese culture. For over 30 years, TCCNY has been crucial link between Taiwan and the U.S., fostering artistic collaboration in performing arts, visual arts, and literature.
Lee also spotlighted the Taiwan POP program,aiming to widen Taiwanese cultural reach in New York City. This initiative connects major arts venues and public spaces,allowing a wider audience to experience Taiwan's creative expressions. Since May,it has hosted events like a talk with choreographer Lin Hwai-min and a U.S. tour by Taiwan Philharmonic.
A longevity peach cake, symbol of good fortune, was served during event. Guests raised glasses to celebrate the enduring partnership between Taiwanese and American artists. A special installation in the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office lobby featured neon graffiti visuals and cultural ambassador a-We,turning the entrance into vibrant welcome space.
TCCNY Director Jack Kuei spoke on the 35th anniversary's importance,calling it both a milestone and a new beginning. He thanked New York's arts community for their ongoing support and looked forward to deeper partnerships.
The Taiwan POP program will run through September 2026, with upcoming highlights like the New York premiere of HUNG DANCE’s BIRDY,Taiwanese Waves at SummerStage in Central Park, and a Taiwanese film series at Metrograph. The public is invited to join these events and explore Taiwan’s cultural offerings in New York City.
As TCCNY celebrates this anniversary, it reaffirms its dedication to fostering cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration between Taiwan and the U.S .
