A delegation of approximately 70 members from Taiwan, including the Taiwan Falun Dafa Waist Drum Team and Falun Dafa practitioners, traveled to Guam on July 18, 2026, to participate in events celebrating the island’s 82nd Liberation Day.
This year’s celebration took on special significance as Guam continued recovering from a recent typhoon. For the first time in many years, the island’s signature Liberation Day Parade was canceled, and the government replaced the traditional roadway procession with a series of community celebrations centered around the Tumon Night Market.
Taiwan’s Falun Dafa Waist Drum Team is highly welcomed by the visitors at Ypao Beach Park. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)
Despite the unexpected change of plans, the Taiwan delegation enthusiastically joined the revised program. Over three days, the Waist Drum Team presented performances at major shopping centers, popular tourist attractions, and the official Liberation Day celebration, bringing energy, color, and encouragement to residents during the island’s recovery.
Captivating audiences across Guam
The delegation began its public performances on July 19 at the food court of Don Don Donki, one of Guam’s most popular shopping destinations. The rhythmic drumbeats and synchronized choreography quickly attracted shoppers, many of whom paused to watch, applaud, and record the performance on their phones.
That evening, the group appeared at the Tumon Night Market, where Guam’s government hosted a Liberation Day cultural celebration. The powerful waist drum performance, accompanied by uplifting music and vibrant choreography, received enthusiastic applause from a large crowd of local residents and visitors.
Sharing Taiwanese culture at Guam’s landmarks
The cultural tour continued on July 20, when the Waist Drum Team returned to DON DON DONKI for a second performance before visiting several of Guam’s best-known attractions.
At Two Lovers Point, one of the island’s most iconic scenic overlooks, the performers combined the dramatic backdrop of Guam’s coastline with the team’s colorful costumes, synchronized drumming, and joyful spirit. Visitors from around the world stopped to watch, creating a memorable cultural exchange that introduced many to Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
Later that afternoon, the delegation traveled south to Inarajan Natural Pools, where the Waist Drum Team performed on the lawn overlooking the ocean. Against the backdrop of the island’s crystal-clear coastline, the lively drum performances created a festive atmosphere that drew applause and admiration from both tourists and local families enjoying the park.
Liberation Day celebration reaches its peak
On July 21, the activities began at the food court of Guam Premier Outlets (GPO), where the Taiwan delegation presented another Waist Drum performance, followed by demonstrations of the five Falun Dafa meditation exercises. Curious shoppers gathered to observe the peaceful exercises, which contrasted beautifully with the dynamic energy of the drum performances.
The delegation then traveled to Ypao Beach Park, another of Guam’s most visited recreational areas. Coincidentally, members of the U.S. Marine Corps Veterans Association were holding their annual gathering at the park. More than one hundred veterans and family members watched the performance, responding with enthusiastic applause and cheers throughout the program. The warm reception created a memorable moment of people-to-people exchange between Taiwan and Guam, highlighting the role of cultural performances in building international friendship.
That evening, the Waist Drum Team returned to the Tumon Night Market for the official Liberation Day celebration. Thousands of spectators packed the venue, surrounding the performance area long before the program began. As the synchronized drumming echoed through the night market, the crowd responded with sustained applause and loud cheers, making the performance one of the evening’s highlights.
A friendly encounter with Guam’s governor
During the evening celebration, Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and the First Gentleman met some members of the Taiwan delegation near the Falun Dafa information booth.
The Governor warmly greeted the practitioners, accepted a handmade lotus flower symbolizing peace and good fortune, along with informational materials introducing Falun Dafa, and posed for photographs with them. The friendly interaction reflected Guam’s welcoming spirit and the positive cultural exchanges fostered throughout the celebration.
Meanwhile, practitioners from Taiwan and Guam distributed handmade lotus flowers bearing the words “Falun Dafa Is Good” and informational literature to visitors throughout the event. Many attendees gladly accepted the gifts and stopped to learn more about the meditation practice.
Bringing hope during recovery
Following the conclusion of the Liberation Day festivities, officials of the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) and the organizer of the Tumon Night Market celebration expressed their appreciation to the Taiwan delegation. She noted that Guam is still recovering from the devastating typhoon and said the Taiwan Falun Dafa Waist Drum Team’s vibrant performances had brought joy, hope, and warmth to the community during a difficult period. On behalf of the Guam Visitors Bureau, she thanked the delegation for sharing their culture and positive energy with the people of Guam and expressed her hope that they would return to participate in future celebrations.
For the Taiwan delegation, the visit represented far more than a series of performances. Through music, traditional artistry, and peaceful demonstrations of Falun Dafa exercises, they shared Taiwan’s cultural heritage while strengthening the friendship between Taiwan and Guam. Their performances left lasting impressions on residents, government officials, military veterans, and visitors alike, demonstrating how cultural exchange can inspire hope, foster resilience, and bring communities together during recovery.
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