City in Focus: Viva Formosa

City in Focus: Viva Formosa
Petr Svab
5/29/2015
Updated:
10/5/2018

When European explorers reached the shores of the island of Taiwan, they called it “Formosa,” Portuguese for beautiful. With its long and rich history and lush natural treasures, Taiwan boasts a unique culture—notably Chinese, yet distinctly its own.

And such it was presented on a hot Sunday afternoon at the Passport to Taiwan festival at Union Square, Manhattan.

Performers showcased Taiwan’s artistic flair, and street vendors presented a colorful assortment of (mostly edible) Taiwanese specialties. The dense, largely Asian crowd, and the certain almost impromptu authenticity of the stands, made one feel as if transported to the middle of a street fair somewhere in the heart of Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. So grab a spoon dear visitor, or perhaps a pair of chopsticks, and dig in!