Event Highlights

The Taiwanese American Community Center in San Diego recently showcased "BIG," the latest heartfelt film by celebrated Taiwanese director Wei Te-Sheng on March 9th. This narrative, centered on six children and their families battling leukemia, attracted a gathering of 300 local Taiwanese and Taiwanese Americans. The event, generously sponsored by prominent community member Warren Huang, underscored the power of cinema in conveying stories of resilience and hope.

During this special screening, April Bridges, the Senior Director of Development for UCSD's Arts & Humanities, represented Dean Coletta to extend congratulations to the UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies. Her presence emphasized the dean's commendation for the Center's efforts in hosting such meaningful events and its ongoing commitment to outreach within local communities and further development of the center.

Wei Te-Sheng's "BIG" is part of his larger initiative to promote and fundraise for his ambitious Taiwan Trilogy, with the director touring over 30 cities in 40 days. This film showing in San Diego highlighted not only the poignant themes of his latest work but also the collaborative spirit between the Taiwanese American community and academic institutions like UCSD, fostering a strong bond through cultural and cinematic exploration.

This gathering not only celebrated Taiwanese cinema but also marked an important moment of community engagement and support, showcasing the vital role of the UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies in bridging academic insights with broader community interests.

On March 8th, our center had the privilege of hosting Dr. Wendy Cheng, who captivated an audience of 30, including school representative April Bridges, with her insightful presentation on "Island X." Her exploration into the lives of Kuomintang student spies, Taiwanese American identity, and social movements. Significantly, Dr. Cheng's work not only serves as a scholarly tribute but also as a historical record of the resilience and struggles of those generations deeply impacted by these events.

A unique and heartfelt aspect of this event was Dr. Cheng bringing her mother, who has been instrumental in connecting Wendy with the individuals whose stories form the backbone of her book. This gesture underscored the book's dedication to the sacrifices and contributions of her mother's generation to Taiwan and the Taiwanese American community's historical narrative. "Island X" masterfully bridges personal tales with historical analysis, offering a vivid portrayal of how past events have shaped Taiwanese American identity.

The discussion that ensued highlighted the importance of remembering and comprehending our past to better navigate our future. This book talk not only reflected the academic community's eagerness to engage with complex historical narratives but also demonstrated our center's dedication to nurturing discussions on essential cultural and social issues.

Dr. Cheng's presentation and her book are invaluable to anyone seeking to understand the profound experiences of Taiwanese Americans during a critical historical juncture, further enriched by the personal connection and dedication to her mother's generational legacy.

The UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies marked the 228 Incident's anniversary with a poignant Zoom event on February 28th. Attendees explored this crucial period in Taiwan's history through the documentaries of Dalton Lu, offering a visual deep dive into the narratives of those impacted by exploring senior Taiwanese American community member Kenneth Wang’s family stories. The event featured discussions led by Director Ping-Hui Liao with prominent Taiwanese-American community leaders, including Freeman Huang, focusing on the preservation of historical memory across various platforms.

Furthermore, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Dr. Thomas Gold from UC Berkeley, offered insights into the ongoing and evolving academic discourse surrounding Taiwan’s 228 Incident. Additionally, a Korean PhD candidate provided a comparative perspective by examining similarities and differences with Korea's Jeju April 3rd Incident, thereby broadening the dialogue with international viewpoints on the historical trauma associated with White Terror.

If you wish to participate in Dalton’s on going documentary projects on 228 and Taiwanese American History please send your inquiry to daltonluzs@gmail.com