Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), during a ceremony to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the 228 Incident yesterday, called for an end to “mistakes in history” and for the establishment of Taiwan as an “authentically free and democratic” nation.
With police ubiquitous near entrances and barbed wire ringing park walls, a solemn crowd of several hundred gathered in front of the 228 Memorial Monument, with most participants quietly holding up white chrysanthemums to symbolize mourning for the 228 victims.
Strong political symbolism infused the service, which was conducted in Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwanese) and attended by many prominent pan-green politicians.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
“It’s only been a little more than 20 years since authoritarian rule ended in Taiwan, and we have yet to achieve complete success in transitional justice and locally oriented education, as well as our efforts in seeking fairness and justice, and we’re often met with challenges from conservatives,” Tsai said.
“I would like to promise all of you here that if the DPP has another chance to be in power, we will face these challenges bravely, seriously pushing for transitional justice, democratic education and social justice, so that democracy in Taiwan will be more progressive and strong, so that more young people will have the opportunity to be more familiar with Taiwan, and to have a better understanding of our past,” she added.
“Each one of us Taiwanese has a mission: We should put an end to all mistakes in history and, for generations to come, we will make Taiwan an authentically free and democratic country,” she said.
Taiwan Nation Alliance chairman Wu Shu-min (吳樹民) echoed Tsai’s statement, voicing his expectation that Tsai will lead Taiwanese in the search for transitional justice.
“I’m looking forward to Tsai having the opportunity to lead all Taiwanese in the realization of transitional justice next year, and to bestow justice on all 228 victims by discovering the full truth,” he said.
The ceremony opened with a singing of Taiwan the Green (台灣翠青), a Taiwanese Presbyterian Church hymn which has been promoted as Taiwan’s “national anthem” by many independence activists. Taiwanese composer Hsiao Tyzen (蕭泰然) — who passed away last week — set the hymn to music and included it in his 1947 Overture (一九四七序曲), composed in commemoration of the 228 Incident.
A memorial concert was also held, with participants sharing squid surimi (魷魚糜), the dish the family of several prominent victims were preparing when they were arrested.
Independent Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was notably absent, despite being listed as a memorial service speaker.
People can take the Taipei MRT free of charge if they access it at Nanjing Sanmin Station or Taipei Arena Station on the Green Line between 12am and 6am on Jan. 1, the Taipei Department of Transportation said on Friday, outlining its plans to ease crowding during New Year’s events in the capital. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend New Year’s Eve events in Taipei, with singer A-mei (張惠妹) performing at the Taipei Dome and the city government’s New Year’s Eve party at Taipei City Hall Plaza, the department said. As people have tended to use the MRT’s Blue or
Civil society groups yesterday protested outside the Legislative Yuan, decrying Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) efforts to pass three major bills that they said would seriously harm Taiwan’s democracy, and called to oust KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅?萁). It was the second night of the three-day “Bluebird wintertime action” protests in Taipei, with organizers announcing that 8,000 people attended. Organized by Taiwan Citizen Front, the Economic Democracy Union (EDU) and a coalition of civil groups, about 6,000 people began a demonstration in front of KMT party headquarters in Taipei on Wednesday, organizers said. For the third day, the organizers asked people to assemble
Taipei is participating in Osaka’s Festival of Lights this year, with a 3m-tall bubble tea light installation symbolizing Taiwan’s bubble tea culture. The installation is designed as a bubble tea cup and features illustrations of Taipei’s iconic landmarks, such as Taipei 101, the Red House and North Gate, as well as soup dumplings and the matchmaking deity the Old Man Under the Moon (月下老人), affectionately known as Yue Lao (月老). Taipei and Osaka have collaborated closely on tourism and culture since Taipei first participated in the festival in 2018, the Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism said. In February, Osaka represented
Taiwanese professional baseball should update sports stadiums and boost engagement to enhance fans’ experience, Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) commissioner Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) told the Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) in an interview on Friday. The league has urged Farglory Group and the Taipei City Government to improve the Taipei Dome’s outdated equipment, including relatively rudimentary television and sound systems, and poor technology, he said. The Tokyo Dome has markedly better television and sound systems, despite being 30 years old, because its managers continually upgraded its equipment, Tsai said. In contrast, the Taipei Dome lacked even a room for referees
RSS