“Beneath the sky’s soft glow Cherry Blossoms, like snow Tell a tale in silence true Of nature’s gift ever new.” (Author unknown) The arrival of spring in Japan is heralded by the exquisite bloom of the ‘sakura,’ or cherry blossom. These delicate flowers paint the landscape in shades of pink and white, transforming […]
Savoring the Joy of Sakura : Welcoming New Beginnings in 2025 Read More »
This year, Taiwan’s public Lunar New Year holiday lasts from January 26th to February 3rd. It will also be the ”Year of the Snake”, which is the 6th animal from the Chinese Zodiac. It represents wisdom, dexterity and charm, and symbolizes the improvement of luck and the arrival of success.
Snake Charmer’s Delight: Happy Lunar New Year! Read More »
Pallavi Saxena’s “Bloom Beyond Borders” exhibition at the Red Room highlights cross-cultural sharing through floral designs and limited floral editions. The art, representing a journey from India to Taiwan, incorporates recycled cardboard and local fabrics. A standout piece features a heart-shaped cardboard figure among flowers, symbolizing Pallavi’s creative process and her two-year artistic experiment.
“Bloom Beyond Borders” Exhibition Read More »
I am honored to share that I’ve recently been nominated to the board of Indigenous Bridges, an association that holds a special place in my heart. Indigenous Bridges is deeply committed to building connections between Indigenous communities and the wider world, creating spaces where voices can be heard, cultures can be celebrated, and rights can
My Journey with Indigenous Bridges Read More »
The warmth of springtime offers a perfect excuse to be outdoors. In fact, sometimes the pull of wanting to be outdoors is just too much. It was for the three of us. Texting and calling in ‘well’ to our various workplaces, we met up bright and early the next morning, so as to get a
The Qing Ming festival’s origin is credited to Tang dynasty Emperor Xuanzong, (713-756 CE). The name “Qing Ming ” literally means “clear brightness”, a time when spring has arrived and there is a feeling of new growth and rejuvenation among people.
Qing Ming – A Time Honored Tradition Read More »
This year, the Taiwan Lantern Festival is expected to be the biggest in the event’s more than 30-year history. Taipei will be the 2023 host and it is ready to celebrate. (Please click or tap on any thumbnail to view it in full screen and make it readable.) This Article was published
Celebrating Taipei’s Lantern Festival of Light and the Arrival of Spring Read More »
It’s strange, but for me, memories are usually made up of common things and those things are often tied up with food. Memories that involve defining food moments from childhood like my granny’s Taiwanese cold tofu and vegetable salad or her Japanese chewy ‘red noodles’ soaked in Japanese-style dashi broth, with bonito flakes and kombu.
Community Cuisine Corner Read More »
The Chinese have over the centuries, developed a belief system and symbols for warding off evil. Various methods continue, even now, to be used to prevent bad spirits from entering one’s home or workplace. During the Tang dynasty (618-907) posters of door gods were among the more popular methods of seeking protection. These traditional posters
The Chinese Lunar New Year : Door Gods and Firecrackers Read More »
History and traditions are closely related to the lives of our ancestors. For the Taiwan Truku, also known as Taroko people, their society is a kinship or ‘gaya’ society, where home is the center of the tribal unit. Grandmothers and mothers are significant in the passing of the tribe’s oral history and traditions to the
The Woven Threads of Truku Ancestral Spirit Culture Read More »
