Travelers often chase landmarks, cuisines, and hidden corners of cities, but sometimes the richest journeys are those that follow the pulse of culture as it moves across borders. This year, Taiwan has been quietly but confidently weaving itself into Europe’s cultural map, leaving a trail of concerts, exhibitions, and performances that turn a holiday into something deeper—a chance to see the world through another country’s eyes. The Taiwan Culture in Europe initiative, co-launched by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has scattered more than seventy events across twenty-six European countries, making Taiwanese art and tradition part of Europe’s travel story.
Imagine wandering through Venice during the Biennale, where Taiwanese artists presented bold new works beside the canals, or arriving in Bologna in the spring and discovering that the Children’s Book Fair featured Taiwan’s colorful storytelling traditions. A traveler passing through Naples might have stumbled into Napoli Comicon, where Taiwan’s illustrators added an unexpected dimension to the comic and gaming energy of the city. Music lovers who happened to be in Vienna or Vilnius in June could have caught the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan on tour, while the haunting voices of the Vox Nativa Choir resonated in sacred spaces from the Vatican to German concert halls, offering moments of pure serendipity for those who travel not just for sights but for sounds.
The second half of the year invites travelers to slow down and linger in museums. In Prague, the Czech National Museum is hosting “100 Treasures, 100 Stories,” an exhibition running until the end of December. Walking through its halls, visitors encounter not only 131 artifacts but also digital storytelling that makes ancient history feel alive. At its heart lies the “Jadeite Cabbage,” a tiny masterpiece that, much like travel itself, shows how beauty hides in the details. By November, Paris opens its doors to another dialogue with Taiwan at the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. There, the theme of the dragon unfurls across paintings, manuscripts, and artifacts, allowing visitors to wander between myth and history in a city already steeped in both.
And for those whose trips thrive on live performance, Taiwan’s stages will meet you wherever you go. The meditative rhythms of U-Theatre, the sweeping sounds of the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan, and the thunderous energy of Ju Percussion Group are all setting out across Europe. Even smaller Taiwanese art exhibitions, organized by local representative offices, will appear like cultural breadcrumbs across cities—unexpected encounters waiting for curious travelers.
To travel along these cultural footsteps is to experience Europe differently. It’s no longer just about castles, cathedrals, and cafés, but about how a faraway island chooses to share its spirit. Taiwan’s presence in Europe this year is a reminder that travel isn’t just about moving through space—it’s about moving through stories, values, and voices. For those lucky enough to cross paths with these events, the journey becomes less about ticking boxes and more about carrying home a piece of Taiwan, discovered in the most European of settings.
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