Devoted resident Father Michelini named honorary Yilan native

Devoted resident Father Michelini named honorary Yilan native

2025-11-28

After moving to Taiwan 60 years ago, Father Gian Carlo Michelini has become one of Taiwan’s greatest champions. Now 89 years old, for decades he has devoted himself to the arts and education. He established the Lanyang Dance Troupe and helped create the Yilan International Children’s Folklore and Folkgame Festival, investing 60 years into Yilan’s cultural development. In recognition of his devotion, the Yilan government awarded him a certificate recognizing him as an honorary native of the county.

As the crowd applauds, Father Gian Carlo Michelini receives an honorary native certificate from Acting Yilan County Commissioner Lin Mao-sheng. This affirmation of his identity took 60 years to achieve. At the ceremony, Lin recalled how the Lanyang Dance Troupe only had the chance to perform for the pope because of the priest’s help.

Lin Mao-sheng
Acting Yilan County Commissioner
Through Father Michelini’s facilitation, the Lanyang Dance Troupe went to the Vatican and met the pope. They were the first dance troupe to ever perform for the pope. It brought Taiwan to the world, and showed the world Taiwan and Yilan.

Chen Hung-hsi
Yilan County Councilor
The first money I ever made was NT$6,000 from Father Michelini. When I graduated, I worked as a lifeguard at the Lanyang Youth Center pool. So not matter what, I have Father Michelini to thank.

At the event, young dancers with the Lanyang troupe gave a stirring performance. The troupe was founded in 1964 entirely of Father Michelini’s own accord. Their masterful performances have taken them around the world, putting Taiwan on the global stage and showing Father Michelini’s profound impact on Taiwanese culture and education.

Father Michelini
Honory Yilan native
I’ve been in Yilan for 60 years. I haven’t been back to my country. Taiwan is my country. How much do I love Taiwan? China doesn’t recognize Taiwan. So I’m bringing Taiwan out to the world.

60 years of setting deep roots in Taiwan is his life’s achievement. Now 89 years old, Father Michelini has used dance to write his shared history with Yilan, proving through action that he is and always has been the most authentic native of the county.

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#YilanCounty #LanyangDanceTroupe #GianCarloMichelini #FatherMichelini #Catholicism #pope #dance #honorarynative #honor

奉獻宜蘭60年! 最愛台外國人"秘克琳神父"獲頒榮譽縣民

2025-11-28

來台六十年，被宜蘭人視為「最愛台灣的外國人」秘克琳神父，今年已經89歲了，長期投入藝術文化教育，創立蘭陽舞蹈團，更參與催生宜蘭國際童玩節，為宜蘭文化扎根一甲子。宜蘭縣政府頒授「宜蘭縣榮譽縣民證」，感謝他六十年的無私奉獻。

在現場掌聲中，秘克琳神父從代理縣長林茂盛手中，接下宜蘭縣榮譽縣民證。這份象徵宜蘭人身分的肯定，他等了六十年，林茂盛回憶，當年蘭陽舞蹈團，就是因為神父出手協助，才能在教宗面前表演。

[[宜蘭代理縣長林茂盛]]
“我們的這個蘭陽舞蹈團，在神父這樣子的一個穿針引線下，也到我們的教廷跟教宗，這個是全世界第一個在教宗面前表演的一個舞蹈團。台灣帶到世界，讓世界看到台灣，看到宜蘭。

[[宜蘭縣議員陳鴻禧]]
“我第一份的薪水，就秘神父給我的六千塊。學校畢業的時候，我在蘭陽青年會游泳池當救生員，所以說再怎麼樣，都是謝謝秘神父。”

大會上、蘭陽舞蹈團的小朋友帶來精彩演出，舞團成立於1964年，正是由秘克琳神父一手催生。精湛舞藝走遍世界，讓台灣走出去，見證神父對文化教育的深遠影響。

[[宜蘭榮譽縣民秘克琳神父]]
“我來宜蘭縣六十年，我沒有回到我的國家，台灣是我的國家。愛台灣到什麼程度，大陸不承認台灣，我就把台灣帶出去，帶給世界。”

六十年的深耕，一生的奉獻。89歲的秘克琳神父用文化寫下他與宜蘭共同的故事，也用行動證明，他早已是最道地的宜蘭人。

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