Anthropologist Scott Simon will be speaking at Academia Sinica in Taipei on May 6 at 2:30pm, on the topic “Sadyaq Balae! State and Indigeneity on Formosa” in Room B202, RCHSS Academia Sinica (map) Like indigenous peoples around the globe, the Austronesian peoples of Formosa (Taiwan) have lost their sovereignty because
Read more‘Taiwan Book Fest 2’ features local writers @ Huashan
The Wild East / Culture TAIWAN BOOK FEST 2 is at Huashan Arts Center in Taipei (but a better – bigger, quieter – venue than Alleycats) noon to 6pm on April 21, this Sunday. Says organizing author John Ross, “I’ve got Elias Eks (a business book) and Richard Saunders (his
Read more7-Elevens in America: How do they measure up with Taiwan’s?
“So far in America, I’ve visited a 7-Eleven, a Circle K, and the AM-PM store. There is also a ‘QT’ store now, which is a novelty to this observer….” Trista di Genova, The Wild East / Comedy The 7-Eleven is a much revered institution in Taiwan. They literally live on
Read moreTaiwan SPCA seeking support for upcoming animal protection legislation
The Taiwan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) is asking the international community’s help to urge Taiwan’s government to end the current capture-kill policy and make it illegal to neglect animals. On December 26th, 2012 the amendment of the Animal Protection Act in Taiwan was scheduled to
Read moreAboriginal New Year’s Feast in Chingchuan
Check this out – The Wild East’s Wild Feast! What can be better than being able to spend the weekend and your New Year’s outside the crush and smog of the city? ChingChuan, located in the mountains of Hsinchu, is home to a fusion of people including the indigenous Atayal
Read moreChristmas in Wulai: A heart-warming affair
Trista di Genova / The Wild East Father Christmas arrived in Wulai 23rd December. Thanks to the generosity of many Taiwanese and foreign friends alike — in particular main organizer Gary Smoke and the auspices of the Rangi Association — there was live entertainment, caroling, visits with Santa and a
Read more‘The Last Samurai’: Travels in Formosa
By Jerome Keating / originally published in Taipei Times Notes of Travel in Formosa, Charles W. Le Gendre, Eds. Douglas L. Fix and John Shufelt, National Museum of Taiwan History 2012, ISBN 978-986-03-2127-2. 475 pages, introduction i-lxxii. As the effects of the Industrial Revolution made their way around the world,
Read morePutting the magic back in movies: Ang Lee’s ‘Life of Pi’
The special effects company that relocated to Taiwan to work on the ‘Life of Pi,’ Ang Lee’s latest outing, should provide a much-needed boost to Taiwan’s film industry By Trista di Genova / Contributing reporter, see full article published in Taipei Times Ang Lee’s (李安) Life of Pi hit Taiwan
Read moreImpressions of Saisiyat tribe’s Ritual of the Little Black People
Trista di Genova / The Wild East / Culture Every two years the Saisiyat tribe in Hsinchu County, Taiwan, hold the Ritual of the Little Black People (矮靈祭, ǎi líng jì). This year, it took place Dec. 1-3, in a remote mountainous village in Wufeng Township. The following is my
Read moreAng Lee’s ‘Life of Pi’ a triumphant tale of ‘man vs. nature’
By Trista di Genova, The Wild East / Entertainment Five stars: ‘One of the best films of the year’, even Roger Ebert agrees, and perhaps one of the only movies that is even better than the book. A beautiful tale, well told in this magical example of cutting-edge 3D cinematography.
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