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Mining IP Gold: Screen Adaptations of Local LiteraturePhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Mining IP Gold: Screen Adaptations of Local Literature

Taiwanese films and TV dramas are floutishing, supported by a dazzling array of online streaming platforms. The public’s insatiable thirst for new content has led to the resurgencs of the film and TV industry, and many talented people have thrown themselves into this line of work. To meet the rapidly increasing demand, where do producers look for good stories?

Vibrant Visions of Taiwan: Artists Cheng Kai-hsiang and Tom ParkerPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Vibrant Visions of Taiwan: Artists Cheng Kai-hsiang and Tom Parker

A motor scooter freighted with five gas bottles, a red house overgrown with greenery, people wearing blue-and-white flip-flops and carrying red-striped plastic bags—Cheng Kai-hsiang and Tom Parker have portrayed these familiar street scenes with gusto, capturing the intimacy and vibrancy of everyday life in Taiwan.

Screenwriters Up Their Game: Bringing Taiwanese Drama to the WorldPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Screenwriters Up Their Game: Bringing Taiwanese Drama to the World

Taiwan’s screenwriters have been going all out over the last two years, with TV shows such as Gold Leaf and The World Between Us attracting large audiences and getting people talking. Taiwan is generally recognized as having the freest and most democratic creative environment in the Chinese-speaking world. Now, public and private entities are working together to improve our television and film industry’s business model.

Diwali in TaiwanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Diwali in Taiwan

“Happy Diwali!” On November 4, 2022, Taiwanese and Indians together celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at the American Club Taipei. The event featured the first staging in Taiwan of the dance drama Ram Leela, which symbolizes not only the celebration of Diwali but also the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, while also expressing the desire for peace and wellbeing.

Let the World Smell Taiwan: Marketing Local ScentsPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Let the World Smell Taiwan: Marketing Local Scents

Smells can trigger memories and stir emotions. They can even capture the essence of a culture. From perfumes distilled from Taiwanese teas to traditional incense re­invented for the modern age, Taiwan is captivating the world through its authentic local fragrances.

Citizen Science in Taiwan: People Working to Protect AnimalsPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Citizen Science in Taiwan: People Working to Protect Animals

“Does the Roadkill Network have anything to do with the Reuters news agency?” (Their Chinese names share two of three characters.) “Is the group ‘Moth Observation in Taiwan’ related to the vampire film Twilight?” (They sound identical in Chinese.) Their names may inspire endless jokes, but the ecological scientists behind these organizations have taken on their shoulders responsibility for a serious task: protecting the environment.

Where the Secular Meets the Sacred: Taiwan’s Church BuildingsPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Where the Secular Meets the Sacred: Taiwan’s Church Buildings

Christianity was first introduced to Taiwan in the early 17th century. In more recent times, since the mid-19th century, the indefatigable efforts of Western missionaries have inspired generations of Taiwanese believers, and the teachings of Jesus Christ have taken root here. But what about our home-grown church buildings? What do they look like?

Seeing with a Landscape Designer’s Eye—Rediscovering the Beauty of Ilha FormosaPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Seeing with a Landscape Designer’s Eye—Rediscovering the Beauty of Ilha Formosa

Ecologist E.O. Wilson proposed that humanity has an innate affinity for nature, a trait he called “biophilia.” As the people that build bridges between mankind and nature, facilitating happy interaction between the two, one could consider landscape designers to be ambassadors of biophilia.

Public Buildings for Today’s Needs: Pingtung County Library and Tainan Public LibraryPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Public Buildings for Today’s Needs: Pingtung County Library and Tainan Public Library

The American architect Louis I. Kahn, who was widely praised for the beautiful libraries he designed, once said: “How precious a book is in light of the offering, in the light of the one who has the privilege of this offering. The library tells you of this offering.”

Creating Spaces for Encounters: Architecture for the Common ManPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Creating Spaces for Encounters: Architecture for the Common Man

Why are buildings erected? Structures are built to provide spaces that meet various needs of people in daily life. But buildings are never just functional spaces. For architect Chiang Le-ching, who has many years of experience in the field of public infrastructure, no matter whether she is designing residences or public spaces, what she focuses on is how to create more opportunities for human contact within the space.