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NMTH hosts Taiwan-Japan international symposium on cultural preservation in museums
The National Museum of Taiwan History (NMTH), in collaboration with Japan’s National Museum of Ethnology, hosted an international symposium on Feb. 14 and 15 to discuss the preservation and revitalization of local culture in Taiwan and Japan. The conference featured a keynote speech and 12 paper presentations, with museum experts and scholars from both countries participating. The first day focused on Japan’s interdisciplinary research integrating local studies, examining cultural development, the distribution of cultural resources, and negative heritage. The second day highlighted Taiwan’s efforts in archival digitization, exploring topics such as museum curation and civic participation, the application and challenges of historical knowledge, Indigenous data archiving, and community building. Professor Hidaka Shingo (日高真吾), director of the Center for Cultural Resources Studies at National Museum of Ethnology in Japan, remarked that understanding a place’s historical background is crucial to understanding its culture. He also noted that some cultures do not rely on written language or images, making it essential to explore different ways to preserve them. NMTH director Chang Lung-chih (張隆志) emphasized the museum’s commitment to serving the public through research, collections, exhibitions, and public programs. He expressed gratitude to the invited Japanese scholars for engaging in dialogue with museum members and enhancing cultural preservation exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. For more information on the symposium, visit NMTH Facebook page.

NMTH hosts Taiwan-Japan international symposium on cultural preservation in museums

2025-02-18
The National Museum of Taiwan History (NMTH), in collaboration with Japan’s National Museum of Ethnology, hosted an international symposium on Feb. 14 and 15 to discuss the preservation and revitalization of local culture in Taiwan and Japan. The conference featured a keynote speech and 12 paper presentations, with museum experts and scholars from both countries participating. The first day focused on Japan’s interdisciplinary research integrating local studies, examining cultural development, the distribution of cultural resources, and negative heritage. The second day highlighted Taiwan’s efforts in archival digitization, exploring topics such as museum curation and civic participation, the application and challenges of historical knowledge, Indigenous data archiving, and community building. Professor Hidaka Shingo (日高真吾), director of the Center for Cultural Resources Studies at National Museum of Ethnology in Japan, remarked that understanding a place’s historical background is crucial to understanding its culture. He also noted that some cultures do not rely on written language or images, making it essential to explore different ways to preserve them. NMTH director Chang Lung-chih (張隆志) emphasized the museum’s commitment to serving the public through research, collections, exhibitions, and public programs. He expressed gratitude to the invited Japanese scholars for engaging in dialogue with museum members and enhancing cultural preservation exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. For more information on the symposium, visit NMTH Facebook page.
Festival celebrating International Mother Language Day to kick off in Taipei
In observance of the International Mother Language Day on Feb. 21, the Ministry of Culture will host the 2025 National Language and Culture Festival at Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab in Taipei from Feb. 15 to 16. The festival invites the public to celebrate the rich diversity of Taiwan’s languages and cultures through a series of engaging activities. On Feb. 15, the festival will open with a screening of the Taigi animated film “Jhugeshiro: The Demon Society (諸葛四郎－大戰魔鬼黨),” followed by the Hakka film “My Native Land (原鄉人).” In the afternoon, the Paper Windmill Theatre will present “The New Incense Burner of the All-Hearing God (順風耳的新香爐),” while the evening will feature “All Night Long for 15 Nights (相約十五暝),” a musical theater production in the Eastern Min (or Min Dong) language of Matsu Islands. On Feb. 16, in addition to another screening of “Jhugeshiro: The Demon Society,” the festival will showcase “Listen Before You Sing (聽見歌 在唱),” a film highlighting Indigenous music. In the evening, the Tang Mei-yun Taiwanese Opera Company (唐美雲歌仔戲團) will present its award-winning production “Tavern by the Lethe (孟婆客棧：世紀婚禮).” Additional activities, including concerts, a book fair, salon talks, and handicraft workshops, will take place throughout the festival. For more details, visit the event website: https://www.2025twml-festival.com.tw/. To register, go to: https://www.accupass.com/organizer/detail/2501090737374043087710.

Festival celebrating International Mother Language Day to kick off in Taipei

2025-02-13
In observance of the International Mother Language Day on Feb. 21, the Ministry of Culture will host the 2025 National Language and Culture Festival at Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab in Taipei from Feb. 15 to 16. The festival invites the public to celebrate the rich diversity of Taiwan’s languages and cultures through a series of engaging activities. On Feb. 15, the festival will open with a screening of the Taigi animated film “Jhugeshiro: The Demon Society (諸葛四郎－大戰魔鬼黨),” followed by the Hakka film “My Native Land (原鄉人).” In the afternoon, the Paper Windmill Theatre will present “The New Incense Burner of the All-Hearing God (順風耳的新香爐),” while the evening will feature “All Night Long for 15 Nights (相約十五暝),” a musical theater production in the Eastern Min (or Min Dong) language of Matsu Islands. On Feb. 16, in addition to another screening of “Jhugeshiro: The Demon Society,” the festival will showcase “Listen Before You Sing (聽見歌 在唱),” a film highlighting Indigenous music. In the evening, the Tang Mei-yun Taiwanese Opera Company (唐美雲歌仔戲團) will present its award-winning production “Tavern by the Lethe (孟婆客棧：世紀婚禮).” Additional activities, including concerts, a book fair, salon talks, and handicraft workshops, will take place throughout the festival. For more details, visit the event website: https://www.2025twml-festival.com.tw/. To register, go to: https://www.accupass.com/organizer/detail/2501090737374043087710.
MOC-MOFA meeting held to discuss cultural diplomacy
The Ministry of Culture (MOC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) held a meeting on Feb. 11, marking the first discussion between Minister of Culture Li Yuan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). The two ministers explored ways to strengthen collaboration between their ministries to advance cultural diplomacy initiatives. Minister Li highlighted last year’s Paris Cultural Olympiad as a successful example of inter-ministerial cooperation, led by François Chihchung Wu (吳志中), Taiwan’s former Representative to France and now Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Li expressed his hope that this collaboration would yield even greater results at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, as well as in various art festivals across Europe. MOFA Minister Lin emphasized that culture and diplomacy should complement each other, aligning with President Lai Ching-te’s vision of value-based diplomacy. He underscored the pivotal role of culture in this approach. During the meeting, representatives from both ministries discussed strategies for promoting Taiwanese culture in Europe and at World Expo 2025 in Japan. MOFA’s efforts in Europe will begin with an exhibition featuring Taiwan’s National Palace Museum in the Czech Republic. In conjunction with MOC’s participation in the Avignon Off Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, and other cultural events, the initiative aims to foster deeper exchanges with European countries. Meanwhile, MOC plans to showcase Taiwanese art and culture at World Expo 2025 through diverse media, including film, literature, illustration, and technology. Additionally, the ministry will invite the General Association of Chinese Culture to host the cultural festival Taiwan Plus in Osaka for the first time, following its positive reception among Japanese visitors in previous years.

MOC-MOFA meeting held to discuss cultural diplomacy

2025-02-12
The Ministry of Culture (MOC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) held a meeting on Feb. 11, marking the first discussion between Minister of Culture Li Yuan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). The two ministers explored ways to strengthen collaboration between their ministries to advance cultural diplomacy initiatives. Minister Li highlighted last year’s Paris Cultural Olympiad as a successful example of inter-ministerial cooperation, led by François Chihchung Wu (吳志中), Taiwan’s former Representative to France and now Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Li expressed his hope that this collaboration would yield even greater results at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, as well as in various art festivals across Europe. MOFA Minister Lin emphasized that culture and diplomacy should complement each other, aligning with President Lai Ching-te’s vision of value-based diplomacy. He underscored the pivotal role of culture in this approach. During the meeting, representatives from both ministries discussed strategies for promoting Taiwanese culture in Europe and at World Expo 2025 in Japan. MOFA’s efforts in Europe will begin with an exhibition featuring Taiwan’s National Palace Museum in the Czech Republic. In conjunction with MOC’s participation in the Avignon Off Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, and other cultural events, the initiative aims to foster deeper exchanges with European countries. Meanwhile, MOC plans to showcase Taiwanese art and culture at World Expo 2025 through diverse media, including film, literature, illustration, and technology. Additionally, the ministry will invite the General Association of Chinese Culture to host the cultural festival Taiwan Plus in Osaka for the first time, following its positive reception among Japanese visitors in previous years.
‘Tayal Forest Club’ wins award at French short film festival
“Tayal Forest Club (男孩奇幻夜),” a short film by Taiwanese director Laha Mebow (陳潔瑤), received a Special Mention from the Jury at the 47th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival on Feb. 9. Established in 1979 in France, the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is one of the largest short film festivals in the world and is often referred to as the “Oscars of short films.” Laha Mebow won Best Director at the 59th Golden Horse Awards in 2022 with “Gaga (哈勇家),” becoming the first female Indigenous film director in Taiwan to receive the honor. “Gaga” explores themes of Indigenous identity and culture, as well as the tension between tradition and modernity. A total of eight screening of “Tayal Forest Club” were held at the festival. During a post-screening talk on Feb. 3, Laha Mebow shared insights into the creative process behind her first short film. The film captures the raw emotions of Indigenous children, the mountain landscapes of Yilan, and the shifting weather in high-altitude terrains, leaving a strong impression on audiences. In addition, “The Fishbowl Girl (金魚缸小姐)” by rising director Wu Hung-yi (巫虹儀) was nominated for the festival’s International Competition, while “The Eye and I (自監體),” a work by Taiwanese artist Huang Hsin-chien (黃心健) and French musician Jean-Michel Jarre, was featured in the XR Panorama program. Hu Ching-fang (胡晴舫), Director of Taiwan Cultural Center (TCC) in Paris, noted that TCC began collaborating with the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2023 and has since built a strong partnership.

‘Tayal Forest Club’ wins award at French short film festival

2025-02-12
“Tayal Forest Club (男孩奇幻夜),” a short film by Taiwanese director Laha Mebow (陳潔瑤), received a Special Mention from the Jury at the 47th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival on Feb. 9. Established in 1979 in France, the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is one of the largest short film festivals in the world and is often referred to as the “Oscars of short films.” Laha Mebow won Best Director at the 59th Golden Horse Awards in 2022 with “Gaga (哈勇家),” becoming the first female Indigenous film director in Taiwan to receive the honor. “Gaga” explores themes of Indigenous identity and culture, as well as the tension between tradition and modernity. A total of eight screening of “Tayal Forest Club” were held at the festival. During a post-screening talk on Feb. 3, Laha Mebow shared insights into the creative process behind her first short film. The film captures the raw emotions of Indigenous children, the mountain landscapes of Yilan, and the shifting weather in high-altitude terrains, leaving a strong impression on audiences. In addition, “The Fishbowl Girl (金魚缸小姐)” by rising director Wu Hung-yi (巫虹儀) was nominated for the festival’s International Competition, while “The Eye and I (自監體),” a work by Taiwanese artist Huang Hsin-chien (黃心健) and French musician Jean-Michel Jarre, was featured in the XR Panorama program. Hu Ching-fang (胡晴舫), Director of Taiwan Cultural Center (TCC) in Paris, noted that TCC began collaborating with the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2023 and has since built a strong partnership.
Sports Administration promotes a safety management mechanism to enhance paragliding sport safety
To improve safety when consumers participate in the sport of paragliding, the Sports Administration (SA) piloted relevant mechanisms and measures for the safety management of the sport of paragliding from January 1, 2025 to enhance the safety management of paragliding, protect consumer rights and interests, and create a stable environment for the growth of related industries. The pilot measures include three main themes: 1. Introducing the pilot IMSAFE Self-Assessment To reduce the risk of fatigue or physical and mental condition affecting the safety of paragliding, with reference to the IMSAFE standards used by the aviation industry (including 6 self-checks: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Emotion), the SA designed a self-assessment checklist for pilots. The checklist combined with a sign-in record, requires pilots to check their status before performing daily operations to ensure safe execution of tasks. 2. Promoting a consumer safety review mechanism and enhancing risk awareness To enhance consumer awareness of risks when participating in paragliding, the SA has produced a flight experience safety review and informed consent form. Consumers are required to sign and confirm before and after participating in paragliding experiences to enhance safety and self-responsibility awareness. 3. Establishing a flight accident reporting procedure and reporting platform To improve the efficiency of accident management, the SA has established an accident reporting procedure and established the "Paragliding Accident Reporting Platform" in accordance with Article 11 of the "Regulations Governing the Sport of Paragliding and its Operations Management" for local competent authorities and the paragliding sports industry to follow when reporting accidents and record accident information as a basis for future reviews and improvements. The above measures were discussed by the SA with experts, scholars and local government representatives, and were further explained to all interested parties at the "2024 Paragliding Sport Industry Exchange and Sharing and Safety Management Knowledge Symposium" held last year, and were unanimously affirmed; a trial will be launched this year. As paragliding is an activity that combines adventure and nature, it also comes with certain risks. The SA stated that this trial will adopt a rolling revision method, continue to optimize the mechanism, and collect opinions from various parties to establish a complete safety management model and create a safer environment for paragliding in Taiwan.

Sports Administration promotes a safety management mechanism to enhance paragliding sport safety

2025-02-12
To improve safety when consumers participate in the sport of paragliding, the Sports Administration (SA) piloted relevant mechanisms and measures for the safety management of the sport of paragliding from January 1, 2025 to enhance the safety management of paragliding, protect consumer rights and interests, and create a stable environment for the growth of related industries. The pilot measures include three main themes: 1. Introducing the pilot IMSAFE Self-Assessment To reduce the risk of fatigue or physical and mental condition affecting the safety of paragliding, with reference to the IMSAFE standards used by the aviation industry (including 6 self-checks: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Emotion), the SA designed a self-assessment checklist for pilots. The checklist combined with a sign-in record, requires pilots to check their status before performing daily operations to ensure safe execution of tasks. 2. Promoting a consumer safety review mechanism and enhancing risk awareness To enhance consumer awareness of risks when participating in paragliding, the SA has produced a flight experience safety review and informed consent form. Consumers are required to sign and confirm before and after participating in paragliding experiences to enhance safety and self-responsibility awareness. 3. Establishing a flight accident reporting procedure and reporting platform To improve the efficiency of accident management, the SA has established an accident reporting procedure and established the "Paragliding Accident Reporting Platform" in accordance with Article 11 of the "Regulations Governing the Sport of Paragliding and its Operations Management" for local competent authorities and the paragliding sports industry to follow when reporting accidents and record accident information as a basis for future reviews and improvements. The above measures were discussed by the SA with experts, scholars and local government representatives, and were further explained to all interested parties at the "2024 Paragliding Sport Industry Exchange and Sharing and Safety Management Knowledge Symposium" held last year, and were unanimously affirmed; a trial will be launched this year. As paragliding is an activity that combines adventure and nature, it also comes with certain risks. The SA stated that this trial will adopt a rolling revision method, continue to optimize the mechanism, and collect opinions from various parties to establish a complete safety management model and create a safer environment for paragliding in Taiwan.