The inaugural Kaohsiung French Festival, which concluded on the evening of the 9th, became an instant online sensation over the holiday weekend. The three-day event attracted over 110,000 visitors to the Pier-2 Art Center, offering a quintessential French summer experience. French brands setting up stalls in the festival were delighted by the unexpectedly large turnout and expressed enthusiasm for returning next year. Both domestic and international visitors praised the festival's refined and high-quality atmosphere, with many declaring, “Everything is perfect!” Franck Paris, Director of the French Office in Taipei, hailed the festival as “a promising milestone in the future of French-Kaohsiung cooperation.” Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai added that this landmark event has set a new standard for Taiwan-France collaboration, expressing hope for continued partnerships to strengthen ties.
The festival’s overwhelming popularity, with over 110,000 attendees in just three days, surprised many. Vendors celebrated the vibrant, open atmosphere and reported sales that far exceeded expectations, eagerly anticipating next year’s event. Initially, reservations for Chef Thomas Chien’s French dining experience in his pop-up restaurant were exclusively available online, but due to overwhelming demand, on-site bookings were also opened. Chef Chien shared his excitement, saying, “I’m thrilled to have been part of this event and look forward to collaborating again next year!”
Among the festival's attendees, long-time Kaohsiung resident Mr. F., who has lived in the city for 20 years, praised the lively market and captivating musical performances. He highlighted Dayi Park as a perfect venue for an outdoor picnic under clear skies. French parent Mr. Y., who visited the festival twice, observed that Sunday’s crowd was even larger than the first day, echoing the sentiment, “Everything is perfect!” A British couple, drawn in by the festival’s French music, returned on the final day for a picnic, remarking, “The festival’s sophistication is impressive – we’ll definitely come again next year!” Meanwhile, parents from Tainan brought their children to enjoy the green lawns of Dayi Park, French performances, and a warm summer afternoon infused with French charm.
“I love you all!” exclaimed John Eyzen, a celebrated French musical theatre performer who visited Taiwan for the festival. He expressed his gratitude for the warm audience reception, the welcoming festival atmosphere, and the cuisine which made him feel at home. The band KESSADA described the event as the beginning of an incredible journey, hoping to perform again in the future. Estelle Perrault, a Taiwanese-French jazz singer, shared how meaningful the festival was to her, as fostering Taiwan-France connections had been a dream since her childhood.
Franck Paris, Director of the French Office in Taipei, expressed his gratitude to the Kaohsiung City Government, the French artists, and both French and Taiwanese participants. He described the festival as a significant step forward in fostering French-Kaohsiung cooperation. Elias Kazi, Vice-President of the Association of French Nationals in Taiwan and a key organizer attended all three days, reflecting on the event as a celebration of Taiwan-France rapport. “It’s a pleasure to share French culture, music, and cuisine with the people of Taiwan,” he said.
“We’re honored that Taiwan’s first French Festival took place in Kaohsiung and I’m deeply touched that we can collaborate with our French friends to make this classic event possible,” remarked Chang Yen-ching, Kaohsiung’s Director-General of the Department of Administrative and International Affairs. She highlighted the fruitful collaboration between the Kaohsiung City Government, the French Office in Taipei, and the Association of French Nationals in Taiwan. Chang also expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic feedback from French artists, participating brands, and local and international attendees. As a key player in fostering global partnerships, Kaohsiung is committed to deepening Taiwan-France relations and expanding its network of international collaborations.