Commemorating Pope Francis’ 10th Anniversary: “Five Loaves and Two Fish” The Energy of Love Special Exhibition
The renowned Taiwanese artist, Tseng Ying-Tung, was invited to the Vatican to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ papacy. The theme of the exhibition, “Five Loaves and Two Fish Love Energy,” was a remarkable expression of art.Art Diplomacy: Celebrating Pope Francis’ 10th Anniversary with the “Five Loaves and Two Fish” Special ExhibitionWhile cultural diplomacy through art has precedents, the “Five Loaves and Two Fish” special exhibition organized by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See stands out. Held within the embassy, the exhibition garnered significant attention from the Vatican. The theme aligns with Catholic faith, emphasizing religious and humanitarian significance over political aspects.On March 13, 2023, marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ papacy, the embassy aimed to strengthen the over 80-year diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Vatican. After more than a year of planning, renowned Taiwanese artist Tseng Ying-Tung was invited to exhibit 27 artworks centered on the theme “Five Loaves and Two Fish.” The exhibition’s opening on March 14 at the embassy highlighted the miracle of Jesus and the Pope’s message of universal love through Taiwanese art.The “Five Loaves and Two Fish” is one of the most renowned miracles in the Bible. Pope Francis has interpreted it as a message emphasizing the importance of compassion and sharing. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ papacy, the theme also subtly incorporates the numerical play “5x2=10,” reflecting the core spirit of the Pope’s encyclical “Fratelli tutti,” which advocates for humanity to transcend barriers of race and culture, seeing each other as brothers and sisters, and helping the weak and vulnerable.”Tseng Ying-Tung’s “Five Loaves and Two Fish” series integrates Eastern cultural elements, using ancient coins to represent the loaves and yin-yang-shaped fish, symbolizing the dual aspects of “love” and “money.” Love represents intangible care, while money signifies tangible resources; together, they form a holistic approach to helping others.Tseng Ying-Tung selected 27 pieces suitable for the embassy’s space, collaborating on a beautifully designed catalog and souvenir magnets. These meaningful gifts were presented to Vatican officials and guests during the opening, promoting Taiwanese art.The artworks were transported from Taipei by air and from Berlin by land to the Vatican. During the transport, challenges included navigating Rome’s uneven cobblestone streets, winding alleys, and narrow elevators. The nervous tension before the opening eased significantly once all the artworks safely arrived. Notable attendees on the day of the event included Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, the Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education; Archbishop Angelo Vincenzo Zani, the Director of the Vatican Apostolic Library and Vatican Secret Archives; and Father Paulin B. Kubuya, the Deputy Secretary of the Department for Interreligious Dialogue. Additionally, diplomats and representatives from the U.S., Italy, Ukraine, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia, Palestine, and Poland, along with Bishop Lin Chi-Nan of the Tainan Diocese, members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and media representatives, were among the nearly 200 enthusiastic participants in this significant Taiwanese art event.Tseng Ying-Tung led his team from the Asir Art Museum in Tainan, including Director Tseng Jo-Hsuan, Deputy Director Chiu Hsin-Hua, and Artistic Director Tseng Jo-Chu, to Rome for the exhibition setup and opening. Taiwanese woodcut artist Tseng Mei-Chen, residing in Italy, served as the Italian interpreter, assisting Tseng in explaining his artistic concepts to the guests.Ambassador Matthew Lee emphasized that “cultural dialogue” is vital to the Vatican, and “art” serves as a bridge to understand diverse cultures. Since 2019, the embassy has organized exhibitions like “The Light of the World — Contemporary Art from Taiwan Exhibition” and “Friendly Taiwan Meets Fratelli tutti Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition,” showcasing Taiwan’s artistic diversity and shared values with the Vatican.Ambassador Matthew Lee highlighted that the “Five Loaves and Two Fish” exhibition continues the embassy’s tradition of “making friends through art and beauty,” aiming to deepen international understanding of Taiwan’s “power of goodness.” Taiwan remains committed to global values such as peace, democracy, human rights, humanitarian aid, and environmental protection, responding to the Pope’s calls and strengthening Taiwan-Vatican cooperation.Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça praised the exhibition’s ingenuity during his opening remarks, noting the symbolic significance of the number 10, which also represents Taiwan’s National Day on October 10. He mentioned the coincidental opening of the “Splendors of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vanticana” special exhibition at the National Palace Museum in Taipei on March 10, marking another chapter in Taiwan-Vatican collaboration. His full participation in the opening ceremony — including delivering a speech and offering a blessing — underscores his deep regard for the friendship between Taiwan and the Vatican.During the opening ceremony, a unique activity involved guests applying gold leaf to a sculpture of the “Five Loaves and Two Fish,” symbolizing the close partnership between Taiwan and the Vatican. Tseng Ying-Tung later presented the completed artwork to Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, the Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education.The exhibition’s refreshments were thoughtfully curated, featuring five types of pastries and two fish dishes from Taiwan and Rome, embodying the “Five Loaves and Two Fish” theme and allowing guests to relive the miracle’s essence. Attending guests were deeply impressed, calling it a most faithful and vivid reenactment of Jesus’s miracle.During the exhibition setup in Rome, Ambassador Matthew Lee hosted a Taiwanese cuisine dinner at his residence for Bishop Lin Chi-Nan, Robert from Berlin’s Kuchling Gallery, art gallery operators from Taichung, and the Asir Art Museum team. The dinner was filled with laughter and lively conversations, as guests exchanged insights about cultural developments from their respective regions.The evening concluded with Italian gelato, celebrating the event’s success.The embassy also arranged for the Asir Art Museum team to tour Vatican City, including the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, enriching their Roman experience.Photographs and videos from the exhibition capture joyful memories, with the energy of love witnessed by the Pope continuing to spread. Commemorating Pope Francis’ passing on April 21, 2025, at 1:35 AM Taiwan time, the symbolic “5x2=10” signifies that the energy of love is preserved in the most heartfelt Chip Time Capsule.IPNo. Actual Price Registration Official Website: www.mars-ipno.com
2025/05/05