Taipei City Government

Mayor Ko Wen-je attended an event at Taipei Confucius Temple commemorating Father’s Day on August 5. During his address, he noted that while it is easy to provide “offerings” to satisfy material needs, it’s significantly more challenging to continue showing the love and attention to one’s parents. He encourages the public to chat with their mom and dad, as doing so will make them happy.
 
The mayor noted that if you look at the number “8” horizontally, you see the symbol representing infinity. That is why the activity is called “88 – Infinite Love.”
 
Dividing the generations into three groups – 20 to 40 years old, 40 to 60 years old, 60 years old or older, Ko remarked that people between 40 and 60 years of age, which he calls the pressure generation, face the most challenge as they have to look after both kids and aging parents. He recalled phoning his mother in Hsinchu to check on how she was recovering from a twisted ankle last week, but during the 10-minute long distance conversation she didn’t even mention anything about the hurt ankle. The conversation itself is already something enjoyable for her.
 
Ko pointed out that he realized parents tend to forget everything else when their kids show their affection for them and willing to talk to them. Being able to maintain such relationship is much more difficult than satisfying their material needs.
 
Responding to media questions about whether he has a chance to chat with his dad on celebrating Father’s Day with him, Ko replied ‘no’ because his father is hard of hearing and dislikes talking over the phone. As for whether his kids will celebrate Father’s Day with him, he completely ruled out the possibility.