Foreign Minister Lin leads delegation to Italy, attends U-Theatre performance

Foreign Minister Lin leads delegation to Italy, attends U-Theatre performance

• Date：2025-09-18
• Data Source：Department of European Affairs

September 18, 2025

No. 347

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and his delegation attended a U-Theatre performance at the Romaeuropa Festival 2025 on September 17 in Rome, Italy. Minister Lin spoke at a reception before the event, emphasizing that cultural exchange could highlight the Taiwanese spirit and that the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative aimed to connect Taiwan and Europe through the value of cultural diversity. U-Theatre founder Liu Ruo-yu, Romaeuropa Foundation President Guido Fabiani, and members of Italy's Chamber of Deputies Andrea Orsini and Mauro Del Barba also attended the performance.

In his remarks, Minister Lin stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Culture had jointly implemented the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative this year. He stressed that they hoped to promote Taiwan-Europe cultural exchanges through various art forms, including the performing arts, visual arts, music, film, architecture, comics, and literature. Minister Lin also expressed the wish that more European friends could gain an understanding of Taiwan's authentic, diverse, and creative aspects beyond technology.

Minister Lin lauded U-Theatre for being one of Taiwan's most prominent arts and cultural groups, adding that its European tour was a key highlight of the Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025 initiative. He explained that U-Theatre's works integrated such components as drumming, martial arts, and dance to create a dynamic and powerful form of stage expression that vividly symbolized the spirit of Taiwan, in particular the tenacity and resilience of Taiwan's people. Minister Lin also emphasized that culture served to overcome language and distance barriers and that U-Theatre's performance should be seen as a cultural dialogue between Taiwan and Italy.

In addition, Minister Lin took the opportunity to thank friends across all sectors of Italy for their long-standing support of Taiwan. He stressed that Taiwan and Italy shared the universal values of democracy and human rights and enjoyed robust trade and industrial ties. Minister Lin asserted that, through cultural exchanges, Taiwan and Italy could further deepen mutual understanding and trust, paving the way for even closer bilateral cooperation in the future.

In his address, Romaeuropa Foundation President Fabiani shared his experiences of China attempting to interfere in his close engagement with Taiwan. He expressed that love for Taiwan had motivated him to continue promoting Taiwan-Italy cultural exchanges, undeterred by pressure from China.

This year, U-Theatre was invited by Romaeuropa Festival-one of Italy's most significant cultural events-to present their celebrated work Sword of Wisdom. This gave Europeans the opportunity to experience firsthand Taiwan's profound and rich culture. At the end, the group received a five-minute ovation, receiving high praise from the entire audience.

Looking ahead, MOFA will continue to connect Taiwan and Europe through cultural activities, thereby encouraging Europeans to learn more about Taiwan. This will, in turn, foster mutual understanding and appreciation of shared democratic values as the two sides join hands in strengthening unity in the global democratic camp. (E)