A: How did you spend the Mid-Autumn Festival?
B: I watched a digitally remastered commemorative edition of the Japanese anime “Spirited Away.”
A: I love that movie. The story of the little girl who wanders into a world ruled by spirits is so adorable.
Photo courtesy of Applause Entertainment 照片：甲上娛樂提供
B: It was first released back in 2001, so this year is the anime’s 21st anniversary.
A: It’s Studio Ghibli’s most successful work, and it won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
B: For me, the most memorable moment from the anime is the scene where the little girl’s parents are turned into pigs, and she shouts: “Don’t get too fat, or they’ll eat you!”
A: 你的中秋節過得如何？
B: 我去看了《神隱少女》數位紀念版。
A: 我很喜歡這部電影耶，劇中那位誤闖神靈世界的少女好可愛。
B: 這部動畫在二○○一年首映，今年已是二十一週年。
A: 它也是「吉卜力工作室」最成功的作品唷，更曾榮獲奧斯卡最佳動畫片獎。
B: 少女還對變成豬的父母大喊︰「不能吃太胖哦，太胖會被殺掉的！」真是令人印象深刻。
（Translated by Edward Jones, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition marked by disruptions in brain-signaling that causes people to behave, communicate, interact and learn in atypical ways. Autism diagnoses in the US have increased significantly since 2000, intensifying public concern over what might contribute to its prevalence. Here is what you need to know. HOW IS AUTISM DIAGNOSED? There are no objective tools for diagnosing autism, such as blood tests or brain scans. Instead, diagnoses are made based on observations and interviews. The term “spectrum” reflects the wide range of possible manifestations. Some people with ASD might have good conversation skills, while others might
A: When is the Lantern Festival? B: The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on Feb. 12 this year. A: Oh no! Did I miss the 2025 Taipei Lantern Festival? B: Yes, you did. But you can still go to the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which will run until this Sunday. A: Let’s go admire the exuberant lanterns. A: 元宵節到底是哪一天？ B: 就是農曆1月15日啊，今年則落在國曆2月12日。 A: 喔不，我是不是錯過了2025台北燈節？ B: 是的，但你還可以去桃園的2025台灣燈會，活動將持續至週日。 A: 那我們去欣賞豐富的花燈秀吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Every February, the small town of Ptuj in Slovenia comes alive with the vibrant celebration of its famous carnival. This festival, with its deep historical roots, is a cherished tradition where local residents come together to ward off the winter cold and embrace the arrival of spring. Participants dress up in furry costumes, transforming into kurenti, mythical monsters believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune for the new year. Although the exact origins of the Ptuj carnival remain a mystery, it is firmly rooted in ancient Slavic and Illyrian cultures. The modern form of the carnival
A: What’s the theme of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival’s main lantern? B: The theme is “Paradise,” and the main lantern is a snake-shaped “infinity” symbol that features a lighting show every half an hour. A: Cool, I heard that there are over 300 lanterns. B: There are even giant lanterns in the shape of Pikachu and some other popular Pokemon characters. A: Let’s go now. A: 2025台灣燈會主燈的主題是什麼？ B: 主題是「無限樂園」！主燈的造型則是蛇形的數學「無限號」，主燈每半小時還有一次燈光秀。 A: 酷喔，聽說總共有300多件花燈作品。 B: 甚至還有皮卡丘和其他熱門寶可夢角色的巨型花燈呢。 A: 哇我們現在就出發吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
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