Communicating across cultures
Foreign workers and immigrants
show off their singing skills
Words by Paula Lin Translated by Anna Yang
Photos provided by Labor Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government
Beautiful voices singing Chinese and Taiwanese songs resonated around Taichung's ASEAN Plaza (formerly First Square) on Sunday, April 24. However, the performers weren't Taiwanese but, rather, immigrants and other guests from abroad.
In the recent years, Central district's First Square shopping/entertainment complex has turned into a key holiday leisure destination for the city's many Southeast Asians. As part of his efforts to create an international, friendly city, Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung has worked to ensure that foreign immigrants and workers can enjoy an open, barrier-free and multicultural living and working environment in Taichung. This has included the promotion of a series of happenings at the renamed ASEAN Plaza such as the "Great Vocals of Asian Immigrants" event, providing new career opportunities and a talent showcase for newcomers to Taiwan.
The singing event was divided into three contestant categories--foreign laborers, new immigrants, and labor and management relations. A total of 40 performing groups from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines participated in this contest for the chance to win NT$54,000. Participants gave it their all, singing melodies like the the softly touching "Lu Bing Flower"; love songs such as "A Little Happiness", "Sentimental Version" and "Shines Through My Heart"; and lively western hits "Sugar" and "Let It Go" from the film "Frozen", plus many classic Taiwanese songs like "Seashore of Farewell" and "I Will Be Waiting For You".
Some contestants also danced, showing off both traditional Asian and modern hip-hop moves to capture the full attention of thousands of viewers in the audience.
 
Left: In order to help foreigners feel at home, the city
government has changed First Square's name to
ASEAN Plaza and promoted a series of events to blend
a diversity of cultures into Taichung's city life.
Right:
Every foreign contestant did their best to show off their talent
at the singing event.
The event also featured 12 exotic cuisine vendors selling international delicacies such as Vietnamese baguettes and fresh spring rolls, Thai barbecue and sour sausages, Philippine spring rolls, and Indonesian snacks. There were also "adventure game" vendor booths designed by the city government and career-opportunity booths for new immigrants.
The police department, Civil Affairs Bureau, Social Affairs Bureau, Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office, Employment Association, Taichung Central District Office, and Taichung Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center also promoted regulations and services at event booths. The festive atmosphere was completed by foreign workers wearing traditional Southeast Asian outfits and posing for photos, plus game booths offering participants NT$100 vouchers towards the wonderful exotic cuisine there. |
June 2016
