culture – Page 3 – Taiwan Insight

The Month of Wild Ghosts: Phenomenon and Thoughts on Pudu in Taiwan’s Government Organizations

30 August 2023 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Liang Ting-Yu. Homeless ghosts are also known as “good brothers.” In Taiwan’s civil society, they are not Youying gong (有應公) who are sacrificed in ghost temples, but rather a kind of wandering spirits who do not have or appear on memorial tablets, tombstones, or graves, and who are not worshipped by anyone; there are no temples or shrines to which they can return, and no place in which they can take shelter. On the half of the seventh lunar month, commonly known as the “Ghost Month,” local families, stores and companies, temples and Wanshan shrines（萬善祠） offer sacrifices to homeless ghosts in the form of Zhongyuan Pudu（中元普渡）ceremonies and Chaodu devotions（超渡法會）, which are rituals that free ghosts from suffering and reincarnation.

It’s Time for the Ghost Month!

28 August 2023 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Chee-Hann Wu. Beliefs in the afterlife and in spirits are universal and exist in different cultures and societies. Naturally, ritual practices, ceremonies, festivals, and customs arise, such as Halloween in Western countries and Día de Muertos in Mexico. Similarly, in Taiwan, the year’s seventh month in the lunar calendar is dedicated to ghosts and the deceased. The Gate of the Ghosts opens on the first day of Ghost Month and closes on the last day, during which the spirits enter through the gate and wander the world of the living.

#MeToo in Taiwan’s Music Industry: After Making Waves, Can We Forge a Better Workplace?

23 August 2023 Adrian Chiu

Written by Chen-yu Lin. In 2023, a watershed moment emerged in Taiwan’s #MeToo movement with the resounding success of the Netflix series “Wave Makers.” The show’s resonance was profound, shedding light on sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace. This spotlight inspired survivors from politics, education, arts, and entertainment to break their silence. The waves of #MeToo allegations have not spared Taiwan’s music industry.

The Development of Taiwan Studies at Roma Tre University

5 July 2023 Adrian Chiu

Written by Rosa Lombardi and Silvia Schiavi. Since 2012, Roma Tre University carried out a series of activities to promote the knowledge and dissemination of Taiwanese culture and literature, contributing to the development of Taiwan studies in Italy. Before that, there was very little or no space devoted to Taiwanese literature in Italian universities, and courses in modern and contemporary Chinese literature mainly still deal with Chinese mainland literary production. Given this scarcity of studies on Taiwan in Italy, Prof. Rosa Lombardi and Dr Silvia Schiavi have promoted and implemented a series of events to raise awareness about the island and foster a better understanding of the Sinophone world through the introduction of Taiwan’s rich culture, history and literature to the students and the general public.

Time Travel Dialogue of Two Iconic Artists: Emily Carr (Canada) & Chen Cheng-Po (Taiwan)

13 June 2023 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Charlie Smith. Emily Carr (1871-1945), who grew up on the West Coast of Canada, made her mark with vivid paintings of local scenery. She depicted changes in the landscape of British Columbia, touching upon industrialization. Carr was strongly influenced by Fauvism, which was advanced by Henri Matisse, André Derain, and other artists in France. Similarly, Taiwanese artist Chen Cheng-po (1895-1947) devoted much of his career to painting the natural landscape in bold, vivid colours. His oil paintings touched upon industrialization in Taiwan, and he, too, was influenced by Fauvism.

A Dialogue between Taiwan and Canada

9 June 2023 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Chee-Hann Wu. The world is filled with diverse cultures and histories, each with its unique narratives and connections. This special issue explores Taiwan and Canada’s fascinating cultural and historical ties. Despite their geographical distance, these two nations share surprising parallels that have shaped their identities and fostered mutual understanding. From immigration patterns to artistic influences, this special issue demonstrates how the cultural and historical connection between Taiwan and Canada is a testament to the power of shared experiences and the ability of diverse nations to forge meaningful bonds.

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