Preston may be over 6,000 miles from Taiwan, but on April 29, 2024, the Northern Institute of Taiwan Studies (NorITS) at University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) decided to bring back again a vibrant slice of Taiwanese culture to its Preston campus. The “2024 Taiwan Festival: HOME X Migrants” was generously supported by the Ministry of Culture’s Spotlight Taiwan Grant and TAIPEC Bubble Tea. The event offered an engaging and interactive experience that welcomed both the university community and the general public.
On the day, Dr Ed Griffith, Associate Dean of the School of Psychology and Humanities, kicked off the festival with a warm welcome to the Prestonian community by underlining the importance of cultural events like this that the Humanities staff organise at UCLan. His words set an enthusiastic tone for the day’s activities, inviting attendees to fully engage with the rich Taiwanese culture on display.
One of the standout features of the festival was the “A Taste of Home: Taiwanese Bubble Tea Workshop.” Visitors had the chance to create their own bubble tea, provided by TAIPEC Bubble Tea. This hands-on workshop was a hit. The Prestonian community not only had the opportunity to enjoy this trendy new drink in Europe, but also to discover the home of this global phenomenon. While many people in the UK are familiar with bubble tea, few know that it originates from Taiwan. This workshop successfully brought together educational and cultural branding elements, highlighting Taiwan’s significant contribution to global culinary trends.
Simultaneously, attendees could immerse themselves in a traditional Taiwanese chess game or explore the Taiwan Blog Poster Showcase that was put together by UCLan’s Asia Pacific undergraduate students.
Taiwanese comic artist, Lin Li-chin 林莉菁, was also invited to deliver her public lecture titled “My Journey of Making Comics about Taiwan in France.” Born in Pingtung in 1973, Lin moved to France in 1999 and studied at the Angoulême School of Arts and the Poitiers Animation Director School. Introducing her work, My Youth, My Formosa (French title: Formose), Lin recounted how the migratory journey became her source of inspiration, providing a unique perspective on cultural adaptation and artistic expression.
Following her lecture, Lin further conducted an interactive comic workshop, “My Journey, My Home.” Participants were guided in creating their own comic strips, drawing from their personal experiences of home and linking to the theme of migration. This creative session fostered a supportive environment where attendees could express their own life stories through the art of comics, making the workshop both engaging and introspective.
In the afternoon, Professor Niki Alsford, Director of the Institute for the Asia Pacific Studies, launched his latest book, Taiwan Lives. The book delves into the lives of various Taiwanese individuals, exploring themes of identity, migration and home. Professor Alsford’s presentation provided deep insights into the diverse experiences of Taiwanese people, enriching the audience’s understanding of Taiwan’s social fabric and history.
The festival concluded with a screening of Mimi’s Utopia, followed by a Q&A session led by Professor Niki Alsford. The documentary highlights the struggles and resilience of Southeast Asian female migrants in Taiwan as they strive to create new homes on the island. The film was deeply moving and thought-provoking, sparking a lively and heartfelt discussion among attendees during the Q&A session.
The richness of the festival programme and the unique perspective on Taiwanese culture captivated the local media’s attention. Dr Ti-han Chang, the event organiser, was invited to share her thoughts on the conceptualisation of this year’s Spotlight Taiwan event on BBC Radio Lancashire and That’s TV Lancashire, amplifying the outreach and influence of the event.
Contributor Bio
Ti-han Chang is a lecturer in Asia Pacific Studies at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Her research focuses on Taiwan eco-literature and ecocriticism, but also explores other environmental topics in the wider Asia Pacific region. She currently serves as a board member for the European Association of Taiwan Studies. With her colleagues at UCLan, she runs the Taiwan Ministry of Culture funded Taiwan Spotlight events and co-hosts the “Taiwan On-Air” podcast series.