History of the Taiwanese Cultural Festival
2007
Innovation is critical for events depending on continuing success. Taiwanese Cultural Festival elevated the quality of the festival programming by incorporating two live concerts. One of which, Mayday, one the premier Rock bands in Taiwan, made their Canadian debut at the Taiwanese Cultural Festival. Another example of innovation was the use of "Noodles of the World" concept to expand the festival reach to include various communities in Canada. Over 4,000 bowls of Championship Noodles were provided during the three-day festival in Vancouver. The two festivals in Toronto and Vancouver exceeded 110,000 in combined attendance, making the festival one of the largest Mandarin/English cultural events in Canada.
2006 
This is a major milestone year for Taiwanese Cultural Festival as the festival expanded to Toronto and co-produced the event with the renowned Harbourfront Centre for the first time. While the Vancouver event set another attendance record of 70,000, the Toronto debut successfully brought in 45,000. Under the theme "Ho-Hai-Yan Taiwan" for both festivals, Taiwanese Cultural Festival was awarded the 6th consecutive Best Cultural Event award.
2005
Taiwanese Cultural Festival received the CEIA Best Cultural Event Award for the 5th straight year with the addition of digital culture exhibition of Taiwan, further expanding the horizon of the festival. However, the most sought-after exhibition amongst the 60,000 attendees was the Barbie & Me exhibition, the story about how world's most popular doll had changed the lives of many in this little town in Taiwan.
2004
The 2004 festival brought contemporary Taiwan to Canada under the theme of "Unleashed!" Festival attendance soared to an impressive 50,000 visitors. With the introduction of the popular figurative lanterns, tasty culinary demonstration "What's Cooking," in addition to the usual line-up of spectacular shows and activities, the Taiwanese Cultural Festival was awarded the CEIA's Best Cultural Event award for the fourth consecutive year. The Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race was formally christened the Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race, and continued to be a popular event.
2003
Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell calls Taiwanese Festival, a hallmark of the city. The festival, after another record attendance of 35,000, was once again nominated for Best Cultural Event and Best Festival for CEIA's Star Awards. In 2003, the festival further expanded the programming by adding an indoor music gallery featuring contemporary elements of the modern culture. In addition to the indoor programming, the Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race, with it's unique style of boats and rules, made the first appearance in Canada via the Festival 2002.
2002
In 2002 the festival continued the success achieved in the previous year and attracted another record crowd of 30,000. Outstanding programming was cited as one of the best aspects of the festival. Publicity of the festival also reached another milestone with millions of audiences reached throughout North America and Asia. The Festival was nominated for "Best Cultural Event", "Best Public Entertainment Event", "Most Outstanding Event Over $300,000" and "Best Festival" by Canadian Event Industry Award.
2001
The traditional Taiwanese theatre is an open theatre. The public is free to come and go as they please. It is not uncommon for viewers to partake in a little shopping or to go for a bite at any point during a show. Various folk handicrafts, toys, and food stalls can all be seen on temple grounds.
2000
"From Caterpillar to Butterfly" was the theme of the 2000 Festival. The metamorphosis of Taiwan from a poor country relying on foreign aid to one that gives a helping hand is like that of a butterfly transforming from an ugly caterpillar to a brilliant-coloured and beautiful butterfly. 2000 Festival demonstrated the transformation of Taiwan through photo exhibitions and performances.
1999
The diversity of Taiwanese culture could be perceived by the various programs of this year's Festival. The Taiwanese Tea Ceremony, Vegetable & Fruit Carving, Taiwanese Aboriginal Folk Arts, Photographic Arts by Dr. C.H. Lin, and an Exhibition by North America Taiwanese Women's Association again attracted crowds of people gathering at Robson Square. The Festival the culminated in the "Concert by Egret Ladies and Girls Choirs" and the "Music Taiwan Concert" by three music professors from Taiwan.
1998
Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Society alone organized the Festival, in which Hakka culture was introduced to the Canadian public for the first time in order to show that Taiwan indeed is also a multicultural society. Other programs included exhibitions of pottery art from Ying-Ko, Taiwan, which generated lots of enthusiasm. Later that year, the 1998 Taiwanese Cultural Festival was nominated for a star award in the category of Best Cultural Event by the Second Annual Canadian Event Industry Award. More than 5,000 participants were attracted to the various performances and exhibits.
1997
The 1997 Taiwanese Cultural Festival was designated as part of the official program of Canada's Year of Asia Pacific. The Lan-Yang Taiwanese Opera and the Yin Qi Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Gordon Chin overwhelmed the Taiwanese community and other ethnic groups. Together with an exhibition of Taiwanese Canadian Artists, and Taiwanese Canadian Young People's Talent Show, both held in the Asian Centre in UBC, the Festival attracted about 5000 people.
1996
The entire Vancouver Symphony Orchestra joined the well-known Taiwanese violinist Cho-Liang Lin, and flutist Chen Chung-Sheng in Orpheum Theatre to present two concerts, "Salutes to Taiwan," both of which ended with a bang. At the same time, the Exhibit of the Taiwanese Delicateness, A Talk on Taiwanese Folk Songs, and Taiwanese Folk Songs Karaoke Contest were held at Robson Square.
1995
In order to more accurately reflect what was intended, the Festival was renamed to Taiwanese Cultural Festival. With its focus on Taiwanese aboriginal culture, the 1995 Taiwanese Cultural Festival's programs also included A Music Tribute to Lu Chuan-Sheng, Video Presentations, Cultural Seminars, and the 1995 Music Festival of Taiwanese Composers. The famous Taiwanese composer Tai-Hsiang Lee was the special guest this year. More than 5000 people were attracted to the Festival. Also, the Festival was included as a part of Richmond's Gateway Theatre's 10th anniversary celebration.
1994
In order to introduce more Taiwanese culture to the Canadian public, a simple music performance was developed to a festival of various kinds of cultural and art activities. Held in Hotel Vancouver, this year's programs included photo exhibits, lectures, cultural seminars, and three fantastic concerts: Concert of the Teachers' Chorus of Taipei City, Dramatic Tenor William Wu's Recital, and the Music Festival of Taiwanese Composers performed by the entire VSO members and scores of other musicians. The diversity and variety of the programs makes the Music Festival of Taiwanese Composers a great success.
1993
The name of this event was officially changed to Music Festival of Taiwanese Composers, and the scale of the event was expanded to include members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Professor Tsang-Houei Hsu also gave a speech, "Music in Taiwan: Its Tradition and Transformation," at University of British Columbia.
1992
Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Society joined Vancouver Formosa Academy to present this annual music event, the Chamber Music of Taiwanese Composers. The number of participating Canadian musicians and audiences increased year after year, and the foundation of this music and cultural exchange was thus firmly set.
1991
Vancouver Formosa Academy again organized the Piano Music Festival of Taiwanese Composers at Vancouver Playhouse. The event further introduced Taiwanese composers' works to the Canadian music community and different ethnic groups in Canada in order to promote mutual understanding by means of the universal language, music. In the same year, Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Society was officially founded in Vancouver.
1990
A local Taiwanese Canadian music/cultural enthusiast, Cecilia Chueh of Vancouver Formosa Academy, started Music Night of Taiwanese Composers aimed at introducing to Canadian general public works of Taiwanese composers in order to promote mutual understanding between Canada and Taiwan in the field of music. With the famous composer Mr. Tyzen Hsiao as the special guest, the first concert was held at Vancouver Presbyterian Church on West 41st Avenue attended by an audience of more than 1000. The event thus unveiled a series of events to come.
