The Center for European Union Studies at Tamkang University, together with the University Social Responsibility (USR) project "From Tamsui to the World: Promoting Taiwan's Most Influential Cultural Tours and Signature Banquets" (hereafter the Tour & Banquet Project), hosted the "Hobe European Cultural Feast" on June 12. The event welcomed representatives, commercial officers, and scholars from the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) and more than ten European countries, including the Czech Republic, France, Belgium, Poland, and the Netherlands. Guests gathered at the Fullon Hotel Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf to experience the "Hobe Banquet 1002 – French Naval Bombardment," a themed dining experience jointly developed by the USR project team and the Fullon Hotel. Through an innovative culinary interpretation of history, the event created a unique platform for cultural and academic diplomacy.

Tamkang University has long been committed to European studies. In addition to its Graduate Institute of European Studies and Department of European Languages and Cultures, the University is home to one of the few European Union Centers and EU Information Centers in a university library in Taiwan. It also maintains close and longstanding academic partnerships with European representative offices in Taiwan. Professor Li-Jiuan Chen, Director of the Center for EU Studies and the organizer of the event, explained that, as one of Taiwan's leading academic institutions for EU studies, the University hoped to help European diplomats better understand the historical significance of the Battle of Hobe and its lasting influence on Taiwan through both the Hobe Banquet and a cultural cruise along the Tamsui River, while also showcasing Taiwan's rich cultural heritage.

At noon, the delegation enjoyed the "Hobe Banquet 1002 – French Naval Bombardment" in the Fullon Hotel Tamsui. The banquet was personally introduced by Professor Chi-Lin Lee, Chair of the Department of History and Principal Investigator of the USR Tour & Banquet Project, who explained the historical significance behind each dish. Featuring ten creatively designed courses—including Four-Warship Salvo, symbolizing the French naval assault, and Rain of Fire, representing the bombardment—the menu vividly recreated the events of the Battle of Tamsui during the Sino-French War in October 1884. Tamkang University's Academic Vice President Hui-Huang Hsu, Dean of Research and Development Po-Shen Pan, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures Yi-Di Lin, and Professor Li-Jiuan Chen also served as table hosts, warmly welcoming the international guests.

The event brought together an impressive gathering of distinguished guests, including Mr. Lukáš Gajdoš, Deputy Head of the European Economic and Trade Office; Mr. David Steinke, Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office; Mr. Alexandre Kaufhold, Representative of the Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office, Taipei; Mr. Matthieu Branders, Representative of the Belgian Office, Taipei, and his wife; Mr. Janusz Bilski, Representative of the Polish Office in Taipei, and his wife; and Mr. Bastiaan Pulles, Representative of the Netherlands Office Taipei. Officials from Hungary, France, Finland, Sweden, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT), and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) also attended, joining interdisciplinary faculty members and Tamkang University's UAV research team for academic exchanges. Following the banquet, the delegation embarked on a cultural cruise along the Tamsui River, visiting the historic sites of the Battle of Tamsui. The journey served as a vivid demonstration of how local history, cultural creativity, and sustainable regional development can be integrated to promote international understanding and academic collaboration.

Before attending the luncheon, Mr. Lukáš Gajdoš visited the University's EU Information Center in the Chueh-Sheng Memorial Library. He then delivered a keynote lecture entitled "The European Union and Taiwan," introducing current developments within the European Union to students from the Graduate Institute of European Studies, the Departments of Diplomacy and International Relations, History, Computer Science and Information Engineering, Public Administration, and European Languages. During the lively discussion session, students raised questions on topics including cross-strait security, EU enlargement, and nuclear energy. Gajdoš explained that the European Union primarily serves as a "soft-power partner" while remaining "firmly committed to its principles." Responding to questions about study and internship opportunities in Europe, he encouraged students to attend the annual European Education Fair in November, explore internationally oriented Erasmus Mundus programs, and apply for the one or two internship positions offered each year by the European Economic and Trade Office through its official website.

SDGs #SDG04 Quality Education #SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities #SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

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