Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) expressed Taiwan’s firm support for Ukrainians in their fight to defend freedom and democracy while welcoming the Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble on their first tour in Taiwan.
“Since Russia’s invasion, it has been more than two years of war in Ukraine. In Taiwan, we have high respect for the courage and resilience shown by the people of Ukraine,” Lin said.
“Taiwan and Ukraine are facing a powerful authoritarian country next door, with constant threat of mounting hostile military invasion,” he said in a news release.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“So far Taiwan had sent much needed materials, medical supplies and other forms of aid, while also taking up a spirit of solidarity in support of Ukrainians’ courage and determination to defend their homeland and freedom,” Lin added.
Lin on Wednesday received the members of the ensemble, led by choreographer Galyna Vantukh, Taiwan Soka Association and its director, Lin Chao (林釗), and Min-On Concert Association of Japan officials, and gave them a tour of the ministry.
Since the Russian invasion began, Taiwanese have donated more than NT$930 million (US$28.91 million) for financial aid to Ukraine and the ministry last year contributed US$1.9 million to establish a medical burns center in Ukraine, Lin Chia-lung said.
He also lauded a number of civil society organizations, including the Taiwan Christian Medical Association and the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, for heading to Eastern Europe to provide assistance and relief work for Ukrainian refugees.
Donation drives from last year to early this year from central Taiwan, headed by of Sun Jen Textile chairman Pai Tsan-jung (白璨榮), had gathered funds to donate more than 140 ambulances, fire engines, trucks and other disaster relief vehicles to Ukrainian officials, media reports said.
Each one had the “Taiwan Can Help” slogan and a logo with twin hearts bearing the colors of both countries, and was transported via cargo ships.
Lin Chia-lung also invited people to attend the ensemble’s upcoming tour programs.
“Through this cultural exchange through dance and music performance, peoples of both countries can deepen their mutual understanding and establish closer connections. Taiwan and Ukraine can link up for enhanced relations, to break down the language and geographic barriers between us, and together we can help promote peace and friendship for all countries around the world,” he said.
After two dates in Taipei earlier this week, the ensemble is to perform today and tomorrow at Miaobei Art Center in Miaoli County’s Jhunan Township (竹南), at Taichung’s National Chung Hsing University Hui Sun Hall on Sunday, at the Tainan Cultural Center on Tuesday, and wrap up at Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts on Thursday and Friday.
“Even though their homeland is ravaged by war due to Russia, ensemble members are not deterred; they head out to international countries, bearing the torch to present and promote Ukraine’s national culture, showing the diverse arts, folklore, cultural traditions and history of Ukrainians,” Lin Chao said.
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