Dear Editor:
Last issue's cover story, "I Still Have a Dream," was about the idealistic dreams of some people nearing middle age. As a person nearing 40 who fortunately still has dreams--although I'm further and further from realizing them--the article touched me deeply. It shows how much hardwork you put into planning and editing and how carefully you explore and report on the pulse of society. But I still have a couple of suggestions.
First, the dreamers you reported on all had master's degrees or Ph.D.'s, so in terms of their education and ability, it would seem rather easy for them to realize their dreams. There should have been more about ordinary people like you and me striving and struggling to make our dreams come true in the world around us.
Second, there weren't any women. Even though women still aren't completely on a par with men in terms of their achievements in present day society, there are already quite a few standouts in many areas. Not reporting on women who have made their dreams come true was regrettable.
If it had included more variety like this, I think the article would have appealed more to your readers and won greater approval.
Chiu Chun-jung Taichung
Dear Editor:
I am a Chinese living overseas who came back to Taiwan during the October festivities to see friends and relatives and also to pick up materials on traditional culture to help educate the next generation overseas so they won't forget their roots. I've seen some articles in recent editions of Sinorama on Taiwan's I-chen performances, including stilt-walking, bullfight chen and dance drum chen. The articles are really worth saving. The younger generation growing up overseas knows next to nothing about this lively traditional art performed at temple fairs. Have they been collected into a book, I wonder? If so, where can I buy a copy? By the way, I'd like to suggest that the articles be even meatier and more detailed so we can learn even more.
Shih Li-hui United States
Editor's Reply: Since the series on Taiwan I-chen has only been carried for three months now, there aren't enough articles to be made into a book yet.
If you're interested, the best thing to do is to subscribe regularly so you'll be sure not to miss any installments.
Dear Editor:
I happened to tune into "Sinorama on the Air"--your "3-D magazine" radio program--last Friday evening. The guests were Chang Lin-shen, vice president of the National Palace Museum, and Ms. Hu Sai-lan, from the museum's painting and calligraphy department, and they talked about the works of art that the museum recently sent to the United States for an exhibition. After listening to their fascinating discussion, I couldn't wait to rush out and buy a copy of Sinorama, but the result was a big letdown--there didn't seem to be enough photographs. Where such precious artifacts are concerned, the more pictures the better, I would think, to let foreigners who may not be able to visit the exhibition in person see how marvelous the artwork and artifacts of China really are. In fact, your magazine really should plan a long series on the treasures of the National Palace Museum to introduce and present them issue by issue. Besides simply reporting, you would be doing your bit as part of the media to educate the public about fine art.
Meng Fan-li Chiayi