The sharing of cultural values was the theme when the Taiwan Youth Ambassadors collaborated with Saint Lucian musicians and dancers for Taiwan-Saint Lucia Cultural Night recently.
Held at the National Cultural Centre on Thursday evening, September 7, 2023, the performances included songs, drama, and dances from Taiwan and Saint Lucia, which dazzled the audience which packed the Centre that night.
Attendees included His Excellency Cyril Errol Charles, Acting Governor General of Saint Lucia; Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General Emerita; His Excellency Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia; Hon. Alvina Reynolds, President of the Senate; Hon. Claudius Francis, Speaker of the House of Assembly; Hon. Ernest Hilaire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information; Hon. Stephenson King, Senior Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development and Urban Renewal; Hon. Shawn Edward, Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training; Hon. Kenson Casimir, Minister for Youth Development and Sports; Hon. Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Minister for Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs; His Excellency Julian Dubois, Ambassador of Diaspora Affairs; and Ms. Constance Wang, Head of Delegation, Director General of Department of NGO International Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Ambassador Chen said it was the first time after the pandemic that the Youth Ambassadors had visited Saint Lucia after their last visit in 2015, but with more diverse talents, enthusiasm, vitality, and artistic skills.
“Your presence today is a testament to Taiwan and Saint Lucia’s strong and intimate diplomatic relations through diversity and unity,” Ambassador Chen said. “By sharing our unique heritage and immersing ourselves in the experiences of cultures beyond our own, we foster a deeper understanding, mutual respect, and lasting friendships that transcend borders and that can unite us for a peaceful global community.”
Darwin Guard, Chairperson of the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), said the event aimed at fostering deeper bonds of friendship between Saint Lucia and Taiwan. Through the sharing of culture, he said a deeper understanding of each other’s culture can be realized.
“You are valuable assets to your countries, and, at the end of the day, you’ve done tremendously well in forging and creating bonds way beyond any bridge could do,” Guard told the student performers. “This cultural exchange connects people and connects us from all the corners of the world, allowing us to share our unique traditions, customs and values. It is an invaluable tool for fostering understanding, respect, and cooperating among nations. It is through these exchanges that we discover richness of our global heritage and common ground amidst our differences.”
The Youth Ambassador Programme plays a vital role in promoting intercultural understanding between Taiwan and Saint Lucia, fostering personal growth, and nurturing a generation of global citizens who are equipped to address the challenges and embrace the opportunities of an interconnected world.