This symphony, long ago arranged by the heavens, plays out in our environment, with sun and clouds, rain and shine, summer and winter all following their specified parts as the seasons and climate change in their regulated procession. Still we follow our ancestors’ rules of wisdom and experience, the essence of the solar terms shining through in our food and drink, our natural and manmade environments, and our art. By immersing ourselves in these, we can experience that same daily wisdom and local culture ourselves, gaining a sense of the life stories of every inch of land that makes up Taiwan.
In this month’s issue, we conclude our series of articles on the seven necessities of the Chinese kitchen: charcoal, rice, oil, salt, sauces, vinegar, and lastly tea. Our feature brings you tales of tea and taste from the age of sea trade to the resurgent elegance of the teahouse, from the joy of the tea ceremony to the enticing scent of a fresh brew.
Our “Living History” series looks at the 120th anniversary of Chung hwa Post, and the 20th anniversary of the International Cooperation and Development Fund. As they reach these historical milestones, both organizations are dedicated to committed and wholehearted service to the people. One is oriented inward, the other outward; one dives deep into rural life, the other reaches out to distant allies. Honor, responsibility, and commitment are credos, are duties, and even more are missions of selflessness.
This month’s “Southeast Asian Focus” presents a report of outreach to other Asia–Pacific cultures in both the north and the south of Taiwan. Warm winds caress Taiwan from Southeast Asia, bringing a new climate, new nourishment, and growing ties with the nations of the region. As together we seek to develop a shared vision, we reach out across cultures in a firm handshake.
As each solar term plays its part in the regular symphony of nature, following the rise and fall of the seasons, their passage brings with it reminders, arrangements, and comfort to the bodies and souls of all the world’s children. With the regular procession through wind, warmth, rain, drought, and cold, the rhythms of life are a beautiful tribute to happy lives, both fast and slow.
