Upcoming events

Tomorrow, Monday the 30th, is a forum on Ethnic issues in Taiwan hosted by the DPP Shadow government headed by Frank Hsieh, over at NTU Alumni Hall. The awesome and amazing Claudia Jean has all the details on her blog, In Claudia Jean's Eyes.

The Bushman, who plays and sings with the local Thai band Blue Sky, says: "....there is a show in which we've been asked to participate, on Sunday, April 12 at Taoyuan Stadium, in downtown Taoyuan City. We played there last year and it was a blast. Sokran (as the holiday is called in Thai) is a water festival and the local fire department arranges to use a fire hose to spray the crowd directly in front of the stage. Of course you can avoid this if you like." I have some pics from Thai New Year at Taoyuan Stadium last year. Several of us bloggers plan to be in attendance.

Don't put it on your calendar yet, but me and the Bushman are currently trying to put together a Central Taiwan blogger bash, probably using The Early Bird in Taichung as caterer for burgers, salad, and other goodies, and probably in late May or June. If anyone has brilliant ideas or suggestions, especially on places to stay for bloggers + families, let me know.

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CEFC Taipei & EFEO Taipei Seminar
Friday 10 April 2009, 2:30 pm
The French Center for Research on Contemporary China, Taipei Office,
and the French School of Asian Studies (EFEO), Taipei Office,
have the pleasure to invite you to attend the following seminar:

" Dutch Formosa in Perspective "
(in English)

by Prof. Ann Heylen
Associate Professor, Graduate Institute of Taiwan Culture, Languages and Literature
National Taiwan Normal University
On Friday 10 April 2009, 2:30pm
Venue: Room B-202,
Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences,
Academia Sinica, Taipei

Abstract
Since the 1990s, Taiwan has experienced a resurgence of interest in 17th Century Dutch Formosa. In particular, the two successive Chen administrations sponsored between 2000 and 2008 a series of cultural and public policies promoting exhibitions, commemorations and historical research aimed at setting this historical experience in a contemporary perspective. My presentation is a discussion of how we can understand public interest in the historical revisitation of 17th century Dutch presence and rule in Taiwan. First, I will give a brief overview of the history of Dutch Formosa (1624-1662) from its initial colonization by the Dutch to its ‘liberation’ by the mythical Chinese ‘freedom fighter’ Koxinga (Cheng Ch’eng-kung). We will then focus on the place of Dutch Formosa in Taiwan’s political ideologies. What are its distinctive characteristics? What has made it appealing to particular images of ‘Taiwaneseness’? Finally, I will conclude with some speculations on what the Dutch legacy means for the current administration of President Ma Ying-jeou.

The seminar will be held in English. The session will be chaired by Frank Muyard, director of CEFC Taipei Office and Luca Gabbiani, director of EFEO Taipei Office.
-- Snacks and drinks will be served after the talk --
Contact : cefc@gate.sinica.edu.tw - efeotpe@asihp.net
French Centre for Research on Contemporary China - Taipei Office
Centre d'Etudes Français sur la Chine contemporaine (CEFC) - Antenne de Taipei
http://www.cefc.com.hk/taipei
Room B110, RCHSS, Academia Sinica,
128 Yanjiuyuan Road, Sec. 2, Nankang, Taipei
Tel : (886-2) 2789-0873 - Fax : (886-2) 2789-0874
Information and map: http://www.cefc.com.hk/rubrique.php?id=78

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