Having been an eye witness to some political key developments, I have just published an English/Chinese book called 'Taiwan: Snapshots of Democracy in Action' (我鏡頭下的民主時刻).
Living in Taiwan, during the last few years I have been intrigued by all the demonstrations and social movements trying to raise awareness for their causes and to change Taiwan's society.
I realized that many Taiwanese (and definitely most people abroad) are not really aware of all that has been going on. So I decided to compile this book with 80+ photos to highlight some key moments 2008-2012.
For example, who still knows what CKS Hall looked like when there was an exhibition on Taiwan's democracy movement, which was taken down in 2008?
The place to preview and order the printed book as well as the eBook (iPad) is http://www.taiwanreporter.com/book
Taiwan: Snapshots of Democracy in Action
我鏡頭下的民主時刻
自2008年以來，我持續從台灣提供報導給德國的平面、廣播以及電視等媒體。我試著去理解發生在我周遭的事情，希冀透過我的報導，最終能使世界對台灣及其民主多一點認識。
Since 2008, I have been reporting from Taiwan for German media, including print, radio and television. Trying to make sense of what is happening around me, I hope to eventually raise some awareness for Taiwan and its democracy.
一個國家、多樣面貌
我對台灣的第一印象包含了許多叫囂、歡呼，還有旗幟揮舞，當時是選舉期間。這些情緒激昂的街頭集會完全迥異於我在德國所習慣的沉悶選舉活動。
生活在民主制度下的台灣民眾可以毫無恐懼地大聲表達自己的意見，他們在許多議題上意見相左，隨之賭上的代價也很高。而這些年來，我非常幸運地見證了這些關鍵時刻。
從2008年台灣總統選戰開始一直到2012年大選過後，我用我的鏡頭記錄了實際行動所體現出來的民主，並且收錄在這本書中呈現給您們。
One country, many faces
My first impressions of Taiwan included a lot of shouting, cheering and flag-waving. It was election time. The emotionally charged street rallies were very different from the somber campaigns I was used to from Germany.
Living in a democracy, Taiwanese needn't be afraid to make their voices heard. There is a lot they don't agree on, and the stakes are always high. Over the years, I have been lucky enough to witness some key moments.
From Taiwan's 2008 presidential campaign to the aftermath of the 2012 elections, these are my snapshots of democracy in action.
Preview and order the printed book or the eBook (iPad): http://www.taiwanreporter.com/book
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[Taiwan] Don't miss the comments below! And check out my blog and its sidebars for events, links to previous posts and picture posts, and scores of links to other Taiwan blogs and forums! Delenda est, baby.
Every german knows how to write a book thick as a brick based on philosophical extrapolation. This self-claimed 'reporter' from Germany just published a coffee-talbe photo album based on his superficial observation of Taiwan. Judged by the book's cover, he collected mostly pan-blue action images, which the readers of this blog knows well that many visitors will mistake as democracy-in-action.
ReplyDeleteI suggest this reporter visit the prison for democracy fighters on Green Island (no, it's not the Green's HQ but many those democracy fighters did turn green later on). Capito?
@Lorenzo - I don't think Klaus Bardenhagen is particularly focused on the blue side. You can check out his blog at http://www.intaiwan.de if you want, it's mainly in German, though. If that's not accessible to you, you can check here: http://www.intaiwan.de/category/english/
ReplyDeleteAs for "self-claimed" - well, his reports about Taiwan have been on German TV, so that ought to qualify to be called a reporter.
Disclaimer: I've met Klaus a few times and think he is a nice guy. Whether you buy his books is up to you.
Always good to see people not jumping to any quick conclusions...
ReplyDeleteI actually devoted a chapter to the Green Island and Jingmei prison memorials.
For those who cannot read German, some of my reports have been translated into Chinese and are linked at http://www.taiwanreporter.net
@Stefan: Thanks mate.
You haven't explained why you named yourself Taiwanreporter. There are many real and excellent reporters here from renown media and they just use their own name. I haven't seen your articles published in the New York Times or Washington Post, I think someone with the name "Taiwanreporter" should be known in these circles, not just in Germany's regional newspapers. Tell me why is your title justified and how can we trust, that you are an expert on Taiwan's democracy? You haven't lived here during CSB, so how can you know the difference?
ReplyDeleteLorenzo, he's not posing as an expert, but acting as a witness. There's no need to interrogate him, he's totally pro-Taiwan and pro-democracy, I know him well.
ReplyDeleteMichael