Taiwan’s Cultural Day

The Island of Formosa

On Tuesday, 23 May 2023, The International Forestry Students’ Association of National Taiwan University (NTUFSA) hosted the cultural day by Zoom meeting. The presenters were Lee Xin Yue (President of LC NTUFSA), Sylvia Chang (Member of LC NTUFSA), and Zeng Yun Jing (Member of LC NTUFSA). The session began with an explanation of Taiwan’s geography. Taiwan itself is located between the South and East China Sea, also the Philippine Sea. In Taiwan, people use Mandarin to communicate. Taiwan uses traditional Mandarin characters, as opposed to the simplified characters adopted by China in 1949. The object character itself inspires Mandarin writing. For example, the writing of soil is inspired by the philosophy thinking of “what is soil?” This thought defines soil as something above the ground. That is why they make the writing of “soil” similar to the way they define the object. Another example given is the writing of “water”, which the Mandarin linguis defines water similar to a river and creates the writing of “water” to look like a river. Even if Mandarin is widely used around Taiwan, the government currently recognizes 16 aboriginal tribes in Taiwan. 

Taiwan forestry management is unique. Nowadays, any kind of logging from every type of forest, including production forest, is prohibited. It is because, during the Japanese occupation period, there was a logging period without any limitations. To provide furniture needs, Taiwan imports wood products from another country. By this rule, the government is also trying to conserve the state of the forest. Popular tree species on Taiwan forest are Taiwania cryptomerioeides (native species), Picea morrisonicola (Taiwan spruce), Cyrptomeria japonica (it was planted massively during Japan occupation and ever used as an electric pole), and Juniperus squamata, and Taiwan Red Cypress (shadow tolerance species). The diversity of species in Taiwan caused by the fact that this country is located in the Ring of Fire also makes this country one of the highest densities of hot springs in the world.

The presentation then continued by showing off Taiwan foods, popular destinations in Taiwan, and a classical music playlist of Taiwan Garbage Truck! Learn more about the presentation by clicking the pdf below.

The presentation: Taiwan Cultural Day

Author: Wening Ila Idzatilangi