臺灣文學虛擬博物館

⧉ Map by Johannes Van Keulen(1753)
（Courtesy to Utrecht University）

Literature is a universal language, and the expression of a country's cultural highlights. 

Taiwan is a democratic country that values freedom and diversity. This island nation boasts a vibrant economy and rich cultural heritage. Through this exhibition, we aim to introduce the historical development, cultural uniqueness, and literary achievements of Taiwan to the European public. Several literary themes are also introduced, offering a window for the audience to explore Taiwan's literature.

This exhibition will take you on a journey to discover this fascinating country, and lead you into the beautiful world of Taiwan's literature.

Say it with us: Hello, Taiwan!

OVERVIEW OF TAIWAN
Lying on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, in the center of an island arc, Taiwan is the linchpin of transportation to and from Asia. To the north is Japan; to the south is the Philippines.

While Taiwan's geography consists mostly of mountains and hills, its population is concentrated in the plains and basins. Its population density is  among the highest in the world, and it feels even more crowded, due to the fact that more than 90% of its people live on less than 20% of its land.

As an island nation surrounded by sea, Taiwan has been influenced by a diverse variety of ethnicities and cultures, and has been connected to the wider world since the Age of Discovery in the 16th century. Legend has it that when Portuguese sailors passed by Taiwan, they were struck by the island's beauty and exclaimed: "Ilha Formosa!" Taiwan has undergone rapid transformation and developed a multi-ethnic society that includes indigenous peoples, Han peoples, and new immigrants, mainly from Southeast Asian countries.

Brief Introduction to Taiwan

Taiwan is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where continental plate movement results in frequent earthquakes. The island has 268 mountain peaks exceeding 3,000 meters, the highest being Yushan (Mt. Jade), reaching almost 4,000 meters. Yushan is also the highest peak in all of Northeast Asia. Taiwan's range of latitudes and altitudes also give it diverse ecosystems, across tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones.

Sweet fruits, advanced agriculture, and the livestock industry lay a strong foundation for Taiwan's cornucopia of delicacies. Abundant harvests from both the mountains and the sea, mixed with different culinary cultures from different ethnic groups, bring a rich variety of dishes onto daily dining tables. 

Religious beliefs in Taiwan also show influence from diverse immigrant cultures. The most prevalent is Taiwanese Folk Religion, which integrates Buddhism and Taoism. In addition, Christianity, Catholicism, and Islam are also practiced. Taiwan's distinctive blends of religions are part of what makes Taiwan's culture unique, and play an integral role in the daily life of its people.