Getting to Know the Sunflower Generation

A Fulbright Year Learning from Taiwan's Youth

New Finds

Taipei Pride

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The 17th annual Taipei Pride Parade was a blast: 200,000 participantsa visual feast of gorgeous cosplay and drag outfits enthusiastic delegations from NGOs and corporationsuntold numbers of giddy young people celebrating together Pride was definitely mostly a celebration. And LGBT Taiwan has a lot to celebrate. This year, Taiwan became the first country in East Asia to … [Read more...] about Taipei Pride

History Lessons in Keelung

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I thought I knew a lot about Taiwan's history. I'm familiar with incursions and attacks by Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and US forces. But today I learned of France's brief occupation of the northern Taiwanese city of Keelung (Jilung). My teacher was Captain Dennis Kuo, a retired ROC naval officer; he delivered the lesson in his apartment overlooking Keelung … [Read more...] about History Lessons in Keelung

The Many Faces of Taiwan

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I noticed a store near my house today that I hadn't seen before, perhaps because it's often closed -- with the metal gate pulled down over the front -- when I'm out and about in the neighborhood. I mentioned to my friend Fann Meeiyuan that sometimes a place takes on an entirely different look depending on the time of day. So, naturally, she took me to just such a place. … [Read more...] about The Many Faces of Taiwan

Celebrating 45 Years of Jazz at the Blue Note

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Last night I had the good fortune to be in Taipei's legendary Blue Note jazz club for its 45th anniversary celebration. The club was founded in 1974 by Tsai Hui-yang 蔡輝陽 , a jazz lover who has kept the club going through massive changes in Taiwan's politics, society, and economy. At 73, he is still every bit the ultra-cool jazz man. … [Read more...] about Celebrating 45 Years of Jazz at the Blue Note

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