The theme of this symposium coincides with the fourth centennial commemoration of Dutch interactions in Taiwan and the beginning of the island’s engagement with the outside world. The year 1624 is historically considered the starting point of the Dutch overseas presence on the island, beginning with the construction of Fort Zeelandia in what is present-day Tainan City’s Anping District, the employment of Dutch settlers by the United East India Company (VOC), and their encounters with Indigenous populations. Since then, a continuous engagement with the outside world has characterized the historical development of Taiwan, centered on its role as a cultural hybrid and technologically innovative hub in the China Seas and the Indo-Pacific. It is in this spirit that we have conceived this international symposium with topics that bridge their original domain boundaries and offer opportunities for collective self-reflection.
Taiwanese-Dutch Connections
Reflecting on how Dutch interactions 400 years ago heralded the age of discovery that spurred technological innovation on a multitude of levels. The exchange of goods and raw materials, movements of individuals and organizations and transfer of knowledge and expertise are worth investigating for their economic, social, and cultural significance.
Taiwan Connecting
to the World
Reflecting on 400 years of historical studies of Taiwan from a variety of vantage points along the historical timeline, with a particular emphasis on bridging the academic with the popular in history, literature, performing arts, geography, translation, folk beliefs and religion, among other topics.
Cultural Commemorations
Reflecting on 400 years of cultural heritage, which draws attention to foreign influences and external contacts that have helped forge a global community in which Taiwan is increasingly finding its own space and connecting Taiwan to the world beyond the 400-year commemoration of Dutch-Taiwan interactions.
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