05/31/2026
🇹🇼台灣藝文魅力席捲伊利諾州！美國主流社會萬人齊聚伊州Evanston市年度雨傘藝術節，駐芝加哥辦事處類總領事演說拓展台美文化交流新篇章！
🇹🇼Taiwan’s Cultural and Artistic Charm Takes Center Stage：Thousands Gather at Evanston’s Umbrella Arts Festival as Director-General Dennis Lei Delivers Speech, Opening a New Chapter in U.S.-Taiwan Cultural Exchange!
為持續推動台灣與伊利諾州的文化、藝術交流，駐芝加哥辦事處類總領事延峰5月30日在伊利諾州Evanston市出席該市最大亞裔慶祝活動-雨傘藝術節並進行演說，也接受西北大學校刋專訪，現場逾萬人駐足共襄盛舉，Evanston市長Daniel Biss、庫克郡郡議員Josina Morita等貴賓也出席活動。此外，美中淡江校友會擺攤宣傳我國書法大師張炳煌智慧e筆等台灣藝術文化展演，同時提供珍珠奶茶🧋及彈珠台等台灣特色文化體驗，臺灣華語文學習中心也帶來台灣原住民傳統舞蹈及精彩扯鈴演出。
類總領事演說首先提及Evanston市文化底蘊深厚，並表示文化與藝術是台灣重要的軟實力，有助於增進雙方人民彼此理解與深化情誼，並回顧伊利諾州、芝加哥市近期台美文化藝術交流，以及兩天前芝加哥淡江校友會與Evanston市文化中心合辦台美藝家作品聯展，同時也說明位於Evanston市的世界名校西北大學與台灣台大、陽明交通大學之合作成果，以及本處、芝加哥台美商會與該校合作舉辦《造山者－世紀的賭注》（A Chip Odyssey）紀錄片放映活動等。
類總領事致詞也提及我國僑委會2026年美國臺灣傳統週文化訪問團「當代樂坊」巡演活動，今年分別在本轄密西根州、伊利諾州、明尼蘇達州及愛荷華州四州演出、推廣台灣文化。類總領事另指出，台美關係持續深化，台灣已是美國第四大貿易夥伴，雙方近期也簽署對等貿易協議，我國企業承諾加強對美投資，雙方並完成第六屆「經濟繁榮夥伴對話」，雙方在人工智慧、數位基礎建設、關鍵礦物、無人機、高科技人才培育等領域擴大合作。
類總領事最後也感謝淡江校友會盧會長秀琴偕校友們及臺灣華語文學習中心在本活動中推廣台灣藝術與文化，並祝福雨傘藝術節圓滿成功，期盼台美文化交流持續蓬勃發展，雙方友誼更加深厚。🎉
To further promote cultural and artistic exchanges between Taiwan and the State of Illinois, Director-General Dennis Lei of TECO in Chicago attended and delivered speech today at the Umbrella Arts Festival, the largest Asian cultural celebration in Evanston, Illinois. The event attracted more than 10,000 attendees and featured distinguished guests including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita.
In addition, the Chicago Tamkang University Alumni Association hosted a booth showcasing Taiwanese arts and culture, including demonstrations of renowned Taiwanese calligraphy master Professor Chang Ping-Huang’s Smart E-Pen technology. Visitors also enjoyed Taiwanese cultural experiences such as bubble tea 🧋 and traditional pinball games. The Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning presented performances of traditional Indigenous dances of Taiwan and an impressive diabolo show.
In his speech, Director-General Leo highlighted Evanston’s rich cultural heritage and commended the city for its longstanding support of Taiwan and its active efforts to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation. He noted that culture and the arts are among Taiwan’s key sources of soft power, helping to foster mutual understanding and deepen friendship between the peoples of Taiwan and the United States. He also reviewed recent Taiwan–U.S. cultural and artistic exchanges in Illinois and Chicago, and highlighted collaborative achievements between Northwestern University in Evanston and Taiwan’s National Taiwan University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. He further referenced the documentary screening of A Chip Odyssey, which was jointly organized by the TECO in Chicago and Northwestern University.
Director-General Lei also mentioned the Overseas Community Affairs Council’s 2026 Taiwanese American Heritage Week Cultural Goodwill Mission in the United States by “Formosa Melody Music Center” This year’s tour includes performances in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa, promoting Taiwanese culture throughout the Midwest.
He further noted that Taiwan–U.S. relations continue to deepen. Taiwan has become the United States’ fourth-largest trading partner, and both sides recently signed a reciprocal trade agreement. Taiwanese companies have also committed to increasing investment in the United States. In addition, Taiwan and the United States successfully concluded the sixth Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, expanding cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, critical minerals, unmanned aerial systems, and high-tech talent development.
In closing,
Director-General Lei expressed his appreciation to Chicago Tamkang University Alumni Association President Sara Wu and the TCML for their efforts in promoting Taiwanese arts and culture at the festival. He also wished the Umbrella Arts Festival every success and expressed hope that Taiwan–U.S. cultural exchanges would continue to flourish and that the friendship between the two sides would grow even stronger.🎉
