5 celebrates the 113th National Day of the Republic of China and holds the National Day flag-raising ceremony and celebration activities

As we approach the 113th National Day of the Republic of China, the Taiwanese community in New York is gearing up for a momentous celebration that marks 30 years of hosting this event. On October 5th, from 9:30 AM to 3 PM, the flag-raising ceremony and celebration themed “Democracy and Freedom, United as One” will take place at P.S. 20 in Flushing. This year’s festivities are rain or shine, a heartfelt invitation goes out to everyone to gather and celebrate together. Each attendee will receive a $4 coupon to enjoy delicious food at the event, while supplies last.

The Taiwanese community has deep roots in New York, with many participants, including second and third-generation Taiwanese Americans who have grown up celebrating their heritage. Even during the pandemic, the spirit of the Double Tenth celebration persevered, drawing hundreds of attendees who expressed a sense of unity and connection across borders.

The schedule for October 5th is as follows:

1. **9:30 AM:** The flag-raising ceremony will take place at Bowne Playground, featuring performances by the San Tai Zi, FASCA student dancers, the Double Tenth flag team, and the U.S.-Chinese Dream Team, culminating in the raising of the national flag.

2. **10:45 AM:** Following the ceremony, the indoor celebration at P.S. 20 will showcase a variety of performances, including juggling, Hakka operas, campus folk songs, Taiwanese songs, and patriotic music. Attendees will also receive the $4 food coupon to use during the festivities.

3. **11:45 AM:** The Food Fair begins, offering a delectable array of Taiwanese treats such as noodle soup, meatball soup, oil rice, taro balls, Taiwanese-style fried rice noodles, and pearl milk tea. In addition to the culinary delights, there will be cultural displays featuring paper cutting, face painting, calligraphy, Chinese painting, and shadow puppetry.

This annual event is an excellent opportunity for families and friends to come together, learn about Taiwan’s rich history from older community members, witness performances that blend traditional and modern Taiwanese culture, and savor delicious traditional snacks. It’s a chance for expats to connect with their roots and celebrate their culture in a warm, festive environment.

For those unable to attend in person, live streaming will be available on the New York Overseas Community Affairs Commission’s Facebook page at https://facebook.com/ocac.newyork/. Join us in this celebration of heritage and unity!