Albany FASCA students stand together with their banner and Taiwanese flags, representing Taiwan with pride.
Albany FASCA members proudly wave Taiwanese flags amidst crowds of people.
Students actively engage with the community—whether through crafts, presenting about Taiwan, or giving out aiyu (愛玉） jelly drinks.
An Albany FASCA student offers aiyu drink to a local attendee, sharing a moment of cultural connection.
On May. 29, 2026 - Students from Albany FASCA showcased Taiwan’s vibrant culture at Menands School District’s Multicultural Celebration. Students engaged with the public through sharing and teaching Taiwan food culture, jaw-dropping scenery, and played traditional Taiwanese games, such as Taiwanese pinball.
Albany FASCA brought a warm, buzzing energy to this cultural celebration, joining countries like Germany, South Korea, and Armenia in an energetic showcase of global traditions. Their Taiwan booth became a display of color and creativity: students prepared lessons on hand-drawing horse illustrations to teach the community about the 2026 Zodiac animal (the horse!), crafted posters highlighting Taiwan’s beloved foods and drinks, its tech giants like TSMC and ASUS, and scenic locations such as Alishan. A handmade pinball machine, modeled after a classic Taiwanese night-market game drew curious crowds, but nothing attracted visitors quite like the refreshing aiyu (愛玉）drink. Many FASCA members also wore Taiwanese Indigenous clothing, chosen respectfully to honour the island’s diverse cultural history. Throughout the event, families with toddlers, teens exploring with friends, and seniors strolling the displays all stopped by, and each FASCA student eagerly engaged with every visitor, embodying Taiwanese values of hospitality.
This opportunity was especially meaningful because Albany FASCA was invited by the event organizers to represent Taiwan after our successful participation in the New York State Lunar New Year Celebration earlier this February. The event was even more special because the Menands School District currently does not have any Taiwanese families. For many students, parents, and community members, this was their first time learning about Taiwan. We were proud to share Taiwan’s culture and traditions, helping more people in the local community become familiar with Taiwan.
When asked what one’s favorite part about the event is, an Albany FASCA member shared “I love the chance to try food from so many cultures and interact with a bunch of cute kids”, who wandered excitedly from table to table. She felt that it was especially meaningful for Taiwan to be represented because many young children were hearing about Taiwan for the very first time. To her, these small moments mattered: when kids stop by to draw, taste aiyu jelly, or ask questions, they begin learning that Taiwan is a real place with its own culture, history, and identity. “That early exposure”, she said, “is exactly why Taiwan should be part of multicultural celebrations like this”.
Another FASCA member echoed that perspective, he noted that “every country at the event brought a specialty”. He emphasized that Taiwan’s participation is important not only to highlight its specialties but also to “promote Taiwan as a small, individual country that deserves recognition”. For him, raising awareness starts locally: if communities around them become familiar with Taiwan, that knowledge can grow outward. He hopes that by showing up at events like this, Albany FASCA can help “Taiwan become more widely known”.
A local parent watching the students lead the booth found the experience especially heartwarming. She said “it felt like seeing heritage passed down right in front of me, these teenagers are proudly sharing their culture with younger children and families.” She also reflected that many kids at the event may have never heard of Taiwan before, and found it wonderful that Albany FASCA was the group introducing it to them.
Looking ahead, Albany FASCA members shared that this experience has only strengthened their eagerness to participate in future multicultural celebrations. Students felt pride in representing their heritage when they saw children light up when learning about Taiwanese bright culture. They hope to continue building these cultural bridges by showing up in other events, sharing culture, and creating exposure for Taiwan to be seen and celebrated. For them, this is just the beginning to keeping Taiwan’s identity present in the world around them.
Reported by Albany FASCA Luen Lee
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