Taiwan Observer 台灣爆報

27/07/2025

From a Time When This Provincial Character’s Views Were Still Acceptable.

那個鄉愿角色言論還被當作正常的年代。

26/07/2025

Sauerkraut Storm Scatters East

Stefan Schultze from Magdeburg handcrafts German sauerkraut high on Yamming Shan, the misty ridge overlooking Taipei. Now in his forties, he still maintains the lean build and energy of a thirty-something from the 1990s.

Schultze studied mechanical engineering at home, then headed to the United States. There, he “shuffled houses” during the 2008–09 financial crisis—buying foreclosed homes, renovating them, and selling at a profit. Money flowed, but purpose did not.

A Taiwanese college friend suggested a change of scene. While Indiana froze at –20 °C, Taiwan offered +25 °C and emerald forests. On his third visit, Schultze sold his Mercedes coupé, packed a single suitcase, and flew to Taipei; even his cat served three months’ quarantine before joining him.

Ongoing health problems nudged him toward an old German remedy: shredding white cabbage, salting it, and letting lactic-acid bacteria do the work. What began as small personal batches soon outgrew the kitchen.

Commercial production proved tough. Schultze persuaded high-mountain farmers to plant European-style cabbage, financed cold storage, and built a pocket-sized fermenting lab. Today, about 150 kg of raw cabbage bubbles in his barrels each month, at roughly 333 New Taiwan dollars per kilo.

Sales started at Oma Ursula’s German Bakery in Taipei and expanded online. Most customers are foreigners; only around one percent are Taiwanese, though interest is growing. The island’s 1,300 Germans form a loyal core.

Polish buyers add colour. They claim sauerkraut brine—“third-press juice” (trzeci wycisk), as they call it—beats any hangover cure. “South African PhD holders used to scoff at us,” one jokes, “but now even they swear by the stuff.” Stefan Schultze obliges, bottling the cloudy tonic alongside his kraut.

Every bag takes him back to Magdeburg. His next goal is to build his own farm and import a larger fermenter so that sauerkraut becomes as normal in Taiwan as in Germany—only eaten among bamboo groves instead of the Elbe meadows.

01/04/2025

President Tsai has taken up a new career in warerskiing as pictured below. She said that this was her new passion after her tenure as president of Taiwan. We hope she has found a new passion and can enjoy years in retirement waterskiing to her hearts content.

20/01/2025

In Tainan’s Minzu Road (民族路), a single-story home collapsed, trapping two adults and a one-month-old baby. Rescuers arrived promptly, and by 1:05 a.m., all three individuals, along with their dog, were successfully pulled to safety. Both adults sustained injuries, with visible bleeding on their faces and backs, while protecting the infant during the escape.

20/01/2025

A powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan at 12:17 a.m. on January 21, with its epicenter in Chiayi County’s Dapu Township (嘉義縣大埔鄉). The tremor caused significant damage in southern Taiwan, particularly in Tainan’s Nanxi District (台南市楠西區) and surrounding areas.

The Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) reported a shallow quake depth of 9.7 kilometers, with intensity levels reaching magnitude 6 in Dapu (大埔) and magnitude 5 in Nanxi (楠西). Across southern Taiwan, structural damage was extensive, with reports of collapsed buildings, cracked bridges, and fallen debris. In Kaohsiung (高雄市), a landslide occurred at Zion Mountain (錫安山), and Tainan’s Zhuwei Bridge (竹圍橋) showed visible cracks.

Local governments in Chiayi and Tainan have suspended work and school to prioritize relief and recovery efforts. Officials warn of potential aftershocks in the coming days and urge residents to stay alert. Rescue operations continue as emergency teams assess damages and provide assistance.

20/01/2025

Just felt a little shake up in Taipei from the 6.5 earthquake down south. It wasn’t too bad here, but it must have been much stronger in southern Taiwan. How’s everyone doing down there? Stay safe and let us know if you’re alright!

30/12/2024

Hanukkah Celebrated with Warmth and Joy at CKS Memorial Hall

December 29, 2024, Taipei – The Jewish community in Taipei came together yesterday to celebrate Hanukkah with a spirited gathering at the south side of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Organized by Chabad Taiwan , the event, which began at 4:00 p.m., welcomed worshippers, well-wishers, and members of the Israeli community, marking this year's Festival of Lights with vibrant traditions and heartfelt camaraderie.

The highlight of the evening was the ceremonial lighting of electric candles, symbolizing the miraculous oil that burned for eight days in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. The soft glow of the menorah lit up the area, evoking a sense of unity and resilience.

Adding to the festive atmosphere was a Taiwanese band that performed traditional Jewish music, blending local talent with the global spirit of Hanukkah. Children participated in a variety of activities, keeping the younger attendees engaged and enthusiastic about the celebration.

Rabbi Shlomi and his family were central to the event’s success. Rabbi Shlomi's wife, along with their friends and family, baked over 200 fresh donuts and latkes, traditional treats that delighted attendees. The warm flavors of these Hanukkah specialties added to the evening's sense of hospitality and joy.

Despite the cheerful and peaceful atmosphere, security was notably tight. Two sniffer dogs patrolled the area to ensure safety, and a strong police presence was visible, securing the event against any potential threats. The entry to the celebration was also monitored by security forces from the Israeli embassy, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

Chabad Taiwan, a cornerstone of Jewish life in Taipei, has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community and tradition for Jews in the city. The Jewish community here, one of the fastest-growing in Asia, continues to thrive and contribute to the cultural diversity of Taipei.

The Hanukkah event at CKS Memorial Hall was a testament to this vibrant community’s ability to preserve their traditions while embracing their local environment. As the evening drew to a close, attendees left with full hearts and a shared sense of connection.

The celebration underscored the importance of faith, tradition, and community, leaving a lasting impression on all who participated. Hanukkah may be a Jewish holiday, but yesterday's event demonstrated how the spirit of unity and hope can resonate far beyond cultural boundaries.

09/11/2024

Come, mate. We'll put you up for as long as you want.

All signs lead to Taiwan🇹🇼🇹🇼🇹🇼

08/11/2024

Late yesterday, on November 8, a shocking attack unfolded on the Taipei Metro when a 42-year-old woman, in the grip of hallucinations, suddenly slashed a 17-year-old male student's face with a concealed utility knife. Convinced she was being followed, the woman mistook the innocent student as a threat, lunging at him and leaving his face bloodied. Panic erupted as passengers screamed and fled, until an older man heroically intervened, disarming and restraining her with others' help until police arrived.

The student was rushed to the hospital in stable condition, while the attacker, who has no known criminal history, was taken into custody. The shocking event has raised urgent concerns over safety and mental hea port on public transit in Taipei.

31/10/2024

This was the situation approximately three hours ago in Hualien, just prior to the typhoon making landfall.

27/10/2024

So how’s everyone doing down in southern Taiwan? Did you feel that earthquake near Chiayi? How was it for you?

13/10/2024

This morning, China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched a new military drill, "Joint Sword-2024B," around Taiwan. The exercise, involving naval, air, and missile forces, aims to test combat readiness through simulated strikes and patrols, marking a direct response to Taiwan independence movements. Coming shortly after Taiwan’s National Day, the drills escalate tensions in the region. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense condemned the actions, reiterating its commitment to defending the island.