Steve McCurry at the Museum of Contemporary Art
You will know Steve McCurry because of one of the most iconic photos of the 1980s, that of an Afghan refugee girl which appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1984. Although this photo…
Category: Arts and Culture
Museum of Contemporary Art
Located just behind Taipei Main Train Station sits the Museum of Contemporary Art. The rather splendid building dates back to 1921 and was an elementary school during the Japanese occupation, but there is nothing dated…
Understanding Taiwan’s Ethnic Groups
Have you ever heard anyone talk about the ethnic groups of Taiwan and wondered what they meant? Do you know your Yuanzhumin from your Waishengren? This is a brief guide to understanding the terms Taiwanese…
The Chinese Zodiac in Modern Taiwan
Sitting as Taiwan does somewhere along the transition from a traditional agricultural society to a modern technologically-developed nation, the superstitions of older times still hold a surprising amount of sway. From the harmless (not giving…
Tradition, Practice, Memory: Ghost Month in Taiwan
Of the many festivals and worship days in the lunar calendar, Ghost Month is one of the most visible to visitors and long-term residents in Taiwan not directly involved with local traditions and beliefs. Ghost…
The Iron Man of Asia, Taiwan’s First Sporting Star
When it comes to sport in Taiwan, the famous names that spring to mind are probably Yani Tseng, the LPGA golfer with five majors under her belt, or Wang Chien-ming, a pitcher formerly with the…
Futai Mansion Photo Exhibition
The latest exhibition at Futai Street Mansion showcases photos from Taiwanese photographer Li Huo-zeng taken in the 1940s. During this time, Taiwan was a Japanese colony, and there are some fascinating photos from the time on display…
An Ex-American in the Taiwanese Army
T.C. Locke is an ex-American who renounced his citizenship in order to naturalise in Taiwan. Now known as a cultural polymath—an accomplished photographer, musician, writer, and film director—Locke (who also goes by the name T.C….
Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan
Dragon Boat Festival is one of the three major holidays in Taiwan along with Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, and as such it is a national holiday. It is also known as Duan…
Daya Bazai Arts Festival 2014 — Fly Over the Rainbow
Daya, a district in Taichung City, is holding the 2014 Daya Bazai Arts Festival to showcase the artistic atmosphere and unique regional charm of the district. In conjunction with the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung…