History and culture are the frames that prescribe how we understand what is happening around us. The Ketagalan Project presents in-depth interviews and thoughts on how art, culture, history and politics intertwine through time and space to connect us. Find out about the cosmopolitan modern Taipei downtown in the 1920s, the gay subculture in the 1970s, the future of aboriginal culture and more, below.
Son of China, Sun of China: Interview With Lord of Formosa’s Joyce Bergvelt
We interview Joyce Bergvelt, author of Lord of Formosa, a novel based on the life of Koxinga, who ruled Taiwan after defeating the Dutch colony in Tainan.
Taiwan’s Football Movement Begins Now, From the Grassroots
Soccer stars Tim Chow and Xavier Chen, who plays professionally in Europe, say that Taiwan’s football movement starts now, from the grassroots.
“I Came Back”: An Overseas Taiwanese Trying for Office in Taipei
Hsiao Hsin-sheng, a Taiwanese American software engineer, is running for Taipei City Council for the New Power Party. How is his campaign different?
The Devil Inside Us: Metal Politics Taiwan, a Documentary On Freddy Lim
Freddy Lim, the Rockstar Politician, might just be the person to take Taiwan to a place that has a “devil inside it” in the best possible way.
Lin Fei-fan: “I Don’t Feel Pressure to Run for Office”
The Taiwan Gazette sat down with Lin Fei-fan to discuss the Sunflower Movement, running for office, and Taiwan’s “Third Force” parties.
Taiwan’s Indigenous Universities and Affirmative Action
An indigenous university in Taiwan would be important for cultural, linguistic, and identity preservation, but questions about affirmative action remain.
Promoting Indigenous Products: Taiwan’s Pingtung Tjukuvulj Coffee
“Our tribal members hope we can make Tjukuvulj coffee our main product, but our industry needs to organize. It needs to have its own brand.”
Female Metal Vocalists in Taiwan: Exclusive Interview with Arch Enemy, Greedy Black Hole
We spoke to Swedish death metal band Arch Enemy and Taiwanese band Greedy Black Hole, both with lead female vocalists.
International Artists Flock to Yingge, Taiwan’s Ceramics Town
Two of the artists in residence at the Yingge Ceramics Academy, Janina Myronova and Kamonchanok Panuwed, talked about their pottery experiences in Taiwan.
Podcast: Navigating Family, Self, and LGBT Activism in Taiwan
On May 24 of last year, Taiwan’s Constitutional Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry, delivering a big legal win for the LGBT movement there. The ruling was the first of its kind in Asia. But what does this ruling mean for LGBT Taiwanese who still...
Reimagining the Taiwan Family Business: Weavism
Tony Chen, the third-generation of Taiwanese textile factory owners, went abroad but returned to the family business. Weavism is a product of his efforts.
The Space Between Light and Rain: Interview with Lin Ching-che
On a rainy September morning eleven years ago, I woke up alone. I’d been in Taiwan for two weeks, and it was my birthday. I hadn’t made any friends yet.
Heavy Metal Taiwan: Conversation With Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe (Part 3)
Randy Blythe, vocalist for the metal band Lamb of God, talks about Neruda and finally tells how he really feels about stinky tofu.
Heavy Metal Taiwan: Conversation With Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe (Part 2)
Randy Blythe, vocalist for the metal band Lamb of God, talks about his writing, travel, surfing, and Standing Rock.
Heavy Metal Taiwan: Conversation With Lamb of God Vocalist Randy Blythe (Part 1)
How did Randy Blythe, vocalist for Lamb of God, one of America’s biggest metal acts, land a role in a cult comedy halfway across the world in Taiwan?
Flash Mobs and Detaining Lawyers: Labor Law Protest on Dec. 23
The labor law protest won’t reverse legislation, but expands the boundaries of Taiwan’s civil discourse and add momentum to the social movement scene.
A Marriage of Technology and Craft: Alchema, Alchemy, and Alcohol
Taiwanese DIY cider making startup, Alchema, teamed up with one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars Alchemy last Saturday for a night of innovation and fun.
Taoyuan, Taiwan’s Youngest City You’ve Never Heard Of
Find out what the youth is doing in Taoyuan, Taiwan’s fastest growing city. “I believe Taoyuan is the best place for youth, and that’s my vision.”
Taiwan’s Craft Beer Scene, Just Getting Started
There are now close to 30 private breweries in Taiwan. How did beer come about in Taiwan and what does the scene look like in Taiwan today?
Art and Diplomacy for Taiwan: Global Publics, ART TAIPEI 2017
How Asia’s longest running art show, ART TAIPEI, is more than just art. We interview its International Curator, Annie Ivanova.
A Movement in Transition: 2017 Taiwan LGBTQ Pride Parade
The parade not only re-energized marriage equality movement, it also shows that Taiwan’s LGBTQ movement continues to inspire the rest of Asia.
A Dark Tale On the Outskirts of Taipei: At Road’s End
At Road’s End tells a story about a photographer’s quest to save her village after discovering that a factory caused a mysterious sickness among villagers.
Politics, China, and Taiwan’s Youth Identity
Taiwanese youth today, who have grown up in a democracy, have developed a suspicion of China in defense of their identity and democratic values.
How Taiwan’s Search for Identity Propelled its LGBTQ Movement
The formation of a Taiwanese identity is creating space for marriage equality and progressive causes outside conservative aspects of East Asian tradition.
Taiwan Artist Gives Voice to Language Preservation
In her performance piece “Scribe” artist Jesha Prekop hopes to raise awareness of preserving and teaching Taiwanese and other indigenous languages today.
Taipei Art Show Sheds Light on LGBTQ Issues: SpectroSynthesis
Asia’s first LGBTQ art exhibition at a major museum is on at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei: “Spectrosynthesis – Asian LGBTQ Issues and Art Now.”
Will Marriage Equality Become a Reality in Taiwan in 2017?
With several LGBTQ related events scheduled in the next few weeks, the marriage equality movement will likely regain momentum after a four month hiatus.
How China’s Soft Power Is Building A Neo-Colonial System In Africa
China’s actions in Africa certainly passes for neo-colonialism: the appearance of national sovereignty is preserved, but vast economic control allows China to wield undue political influence.
Farewell to a Past: Urban Renewal and Taipei’s Shaoxing Community
We visit the Shaoxing Community, one of the last settlements in Taipei, days before it is demolished to make way for NTU’s new hospital and facilities.
What Motivated the KMT in Taiwan’s Democratization?
The KMT’s decision to transition Taiwan from dictatorship to democracy was not a benevolent choice, but a calculated move for survival in a changing world.
Rediscovering My Taiwan: Taiwan America Student Conference
The Taiwanese students originally only expected to introduce Taiwan to foreigners. We had also discovered so much more of our home country than we knew.
Celebrating Taiwanese in Australia: Sydney Taiwan Festival
We spoke with organizers of the Sydney Taiwan Festival Roger Huang, Minna Hsu, and co-founder Frank Wang about what the festival and Taiwanese Australians.
Hidden Japanese Cocktails in Taipei
Taiwan is a wonderland of mish-mashed tastes from all over the world, but hidden in the alleys of Taipei are modern day takes on Japanese craft cocktails.
Indigenous Culture in Full Bloom at Taiwan’s 2017 Summer Universiade
Now that the 2017 Summer Universiade is over, did you know that two-thirds of the opening ceremony had references to Taiwanese indigenous culture?
Promoting Taiwan’s Global Ties Through Sports Diplomacy
The memories and human connections made during this gathering have instilled confidence and segues into more successful international events held by Taiwan.
The Story Behind Uganda and the Summer Universiade in Taiwan
Uganda first banned athletes from the Summer Universiade in Taiwan due to the “One China Policy.” There is an unsung hero behind the dramatic overturn.
Scavenger Hunt for the Truth: Taiwan National Treasure
Taiwan National Treasure (TNT) is a free database where people can access a wealth of US federal documents relating to Taiwan’s history.
Sampling Taipei’s Dining Diversity: Taipei Feast Week
Taipei Feast Week hopes to combine unique Taiwanese culinary experiences with Taiwanese history, culture and entrepreneurship.
Red Yeast Rice Wine to “Tinder in Taipei”: History of Drinking in Taiwan
Taiwan has always been connected to the the world through its alcoholic beverage culture, freely taking trends from abroad and even more freely transforming them into something uniquely Taiwanese.
Teaching Creativity in Taiwan: Skyrock Projects
Skyrock Projects is a new school for kids to learn technology creatively. We talk with the founders about their concept and experience as entrepreneurs in Taiwan.
Turkish Bicycle Designer in Taiwan: Emre Özsöz
Emre Özsöz is an industrial designer from Turkey living in Taipei, hoping the island holds the key to bringing his bicycle dreams to life.
Bikes, Voices, Labor: Taiwan Uniquely
Bikes wars, children’s voices, labor problems, and where to watch sunsets in Taipei, in this week’s Taiwan Uniquely.
Social Media Skin: The Provocative Imageries By John Yuyi
John Yuyi, an up-and-coming Taiwanese model, photographer and designer based in New York, was handpicked by GUCCI because of her unique work with temporary tattoos that combines ink with social media.
Presidential Designs in Taiwan: M/m Exhibition
It’s not every day that President Tsai opens a design exhibition, but given the talent in Taiwan, Tsai wants “design to be Taiwan’s national strength.”
Taiwanese Music and the World: Interview with FireEX
They’re not like anyone else. They are FireEX (滅火器), an indie band that has become a symbol for youth empowerment and activism in Taiwan.
The Witches of Beitou: Folklore, History, and Taiwanese Superheroes
The online comic “Pataauw: The Witches of Beitou” follows seven girls living in Taipei–ordinary cosmopolitan ladies, except that each of them carries indigenous ancient powers.
A New Beginning in Taiwan
Chieh-Ting Yeh is the co-founder of Ketagalan Media. After working in think tanks and political parties in London and Taipei, he earned his law degree from Harvard. He has been a long time thinker of Taiwan's history, politics, and nationalism. He is currently...
台灣與世界再接軌—小說、電影，金屬樂
文化是一個國家在國際社群尋求身份認同時重要的工具之一，近來隨著美國文化在亞洲的影響力一點點崩解，對於在國際上被孤立、主權不被承認的台灣而言，無疑開啟了新契機。
A Gay Pastor in Taiwan Bridging LGBT and Christian Communities
Taiwan’s Christian community has been more vocal and visible than ever in the past 18 months, as the topic of marriage equality continues to be at the center of social discussion. Making up roughly 4.5% of the total population, the conservative factions within the...
Taiwanese Music on the World Stage: Mia Yen and Taiwanese Waves
In the summer of 2016, some 4,500 people in New York were introduced to Taiwanese music, possible because of Ms. Mia Min Yen, the founder and organizer of Taiwanese Waves.