Taiwan is known as the birthplace of Austronesian languages. Beyond the ethnolinguistic legacy shared by the indigenous peoples of Taiwan and maritime Southeast Asia, the two regions have much else in common, including histories of colonization and Chinese immigration, tropical or subtropical climates, and affinities for the ocean. These characteristics have helped nurture rich literatures and vibrant publishing industries.
For this issue, Taiwan Panorama invited Vietnamese writer Bao Ninh and Indonesian writer Ayu Utami, who both took part in the 2018 Southeast Asian Literature Forum in Taiwan, along with Taiwanese writer Fang Hui-chen, to join us in a discussion about how literature breaks down barriers and expresses concern for human life.
For the second time in 11 years, Taiwan was guest of honor at this year’s Bangkok International Book Fair. We deliver an in-depth account of this important international cultural event, including the reflections of Taiwan publishing figures who worked behind the scenes to help to make Taiwan’s participation a success. In both the public and the private sector, Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy continues to make waves and open up new possibilities.
This month’s “Around Taiwan” report takes readers on a bicycle trip along Hsinchu County Road 122, setting out from Zhudong to take in such sites as the Xiao Rusong Art Park, Ruanqiao Painted Village, Chang Hsueh-liang’s former residence, and the Dalu Forest Road. Our Photo Essay, meanwhile, takes us to Matsu’s Beigan Island, capturing the folk customs of the “Baiming Carnival,” as well as the island’s unique architecture and culture.
Award-winning architect Huang Sheng-yuan likewise finds beauty in his locale. His love for the land is expressed wholeheartedly in the buildings that he and his team design in Yilan.
The influence of art knows no bounds. Cartoonist Chen Uen left his mark on Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and mainland China. His unique style helped inspire a whole generation of creators. We look back on the determination and creativity that Chen brought to his art, and get a glimpse of his charm and charisma through the observations of those who knew him.
Composer and conductor Gordon Chin is another figure whose art has had an impact far and wide. His work epitomizes the development of classical music in Taiwan over the past 30 years. The power of art is also on show in the exhibitions of contemporary Taiwanese artworks that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Culture have been holding in several of Taiwan’s representative offices abroad. They serve both as displays of Taiwan’s soft power and as meaningful exercises in public diplomacy.
