Thought of the Day...

Don asked...

Any thoughts on the appreciation of the arts, especially music, in the Taiwanese culture?

Amateur sociologist? Recreational philosopher? Social observationist?

so I thought I'd post a quick thought. I may expound on a later date.


Art is very affluent in Taiwanese culture. You see it purposefully throughout their Architecture, their Department Stores, their Restaurants, and their Recreation.

In the center of Taichung is a large Art Museum. The outer grounds are as aesthetically focus as the interior.
Taichung's Mayor has declared it his mandate to make the city a mecca for the arts -- the Jazz Festival was his institution.


But more than any other medium, I would have to say Classical Music is the art of choice.
Orchestra Performances are met by a full house I only dreamed of in theVault's days.
String Quartet and Chamber concerts have traveled to every elementary school, department store, and McDonald's.


And every Taiwanese student I know of is studying at least one or two classical instruments.

Taiwan has very little "Rock-Scene" to be spoken of. And the bulk of what does exist plays covers at bars and lounges where the audience sit at tables and maybe applaud.

But classical music... that's the ticket.

I've thought about why this is. True, there are still pop singers and the likes, but why is the emphasis placed so heavily on orchestra music?

Taiwanese - like Chinese and Japanese cultures - value their place within a group. Finding identity in a whole greater than yourself is considered Virtuous. They stay within their family units and work for large companies.

How does this contrast to the great Spirit of American Independence?

I hope to compare the two in a future entry, but for now, that's my Thought of the Day.