My Little Room: Cultural tour in Taipei / 台北文化之旅

攝於田園城市書店．台北 / photo taken in Gardencity Bookstore, Taipei

從倫敦回到台北之後，我很積極地想要多認識我生長的城市，於是我參加北藝大的文化散步之旅，有老師介紹大同中山區小巷裡的書店和文創事業。

Since coming back to Taipei from London, I have felt the urge to know more about my city. Thus, when I discovered the cultural walking tour held by Taipei National University of the Arts, I was rather thrilled. The tour of December is about the bookstores and cultural and creative industry in Datong and Zhongshan Districts in Taipei, which used to be the major business hubs.

第一站是捷運雙連站一號出口附近的田園城市書店，圖中的老闆以台灣在地的出版品為主，雖然不是主流的書店，但是老闆致力把很有台灣味的書籍推銷到國外。店內也有插畫作品，有興趣的朋友可以投稿。

The first stop is Gardencity Publishers and Bookstore near exit 1 of Shuanglian MRT Station. The owner, as you can see in the middle of the photo, focuses on publishing books written by Taiwanese authors and about Taiwan. Then they are translated into other languages and promoted abroad. There are also illustrated publications in the form of picture books more for adults. If you are interested, why not take a try?

書店樓下是個小巧優雅的展間，老闆強調展覽多以有「人」的味道為主，下一檔由幾位攝影家上場，主題是以影像爲情書，明年一月五日開展。

The basement of the bookstore is a small but tasteful exhibition room. The publisher emphasizes that they are particularly interested in works that center around people or handmade feel. The upcoming exhibit, starting from Jan. 5, is about love letters in the form of visual images by several photographers.

在這家店我一直想到半年前於倫敦的Nobrow之旅，雖然當時總覺得回來之後不會有那麼豐富的資源，但現在卻因爲自己願意走出去感到慶幸，台灣也有很多在爲文化藝術努力的人們。

During our stay in this bookstore, I recalled the trip to Nobrow in London half a year ago. Back then I had the idea that there wouldn't be so many resources in Taipei. Now I am glad that I have taken a step forward, thus realizing that many Taiwanese are actually working hard for art and culture.

攝於台灣好．店 / photo taken at Lovely Taiwan Shop

第二站是捷運中山站附近的台灣好．店，這是幾位原本反對見蘇花高的企業家轉念，想爲台灣的文化事業有所貢獻的成果。

The second stop is Lovely Taiwan Shop near Zhongshan MRT station. The foundation Lovely Taiwan was founded by several entrepreneurs who were brought together by their common goal to protest against the construction of freeways in the east Taiwan. Later, they decided to turn their opposition into positive contribution. Their ideal is to do something for the cultural industry of Taiwan.

台灣好．店的主要理念除了推銷台灣藝術家的作品外，也和原住民及弱勢族群合作，賦予每件商品故事，藉此讓顧客更瞭解台灣文化，在店裡我們吃了台中女子監獄受刑人做的巧克力，也喝了921後台中茶農為了自立種植的森林紅茶，更學到原來現在國外觀光客來到台灣，想體驗的是在地的台灣經驗，而文創也是旅行的一部份。

Apart from promoting artworks by Taiwanese artists, the foundation also cooperates with the minority groups in Taiwan. They stress the importance of stories behind every product. In this way, customers get to learn more about Taiwan. In the shop we sampled chocolate made by female prisoners in Taichung. Also, we tasted black tea planted by farmers who would like to be on their own feet again after the famous 921 Earthquake. Most of all, I was surprised to hear that now international tourists make it a point to experience Taiwanese culture on their trips here, in which the creative industry plays an important part.

我在幾個月前就買了照片中台客藍出產的白色馬克杯，不僅每天上班很喜悅，這個美麗的杯子也受到很多同事青睞。

I bought one of the white mugs shown in the photo above, designed by a Taiwanese artist two months ago. It not only brings me great joy at work but also attracts the attention of many colleagues.

攝於日星鑄字行 / photo taken at Ri Xing Type Foundry

整趟散步之旅中我最期待的就是去日星鑄字行，兩個月前在報紙上讀到有關鑄字行的介紹就一直想親訪，這家店是台灣唯一僅存的鑄字行，現在不只是一家店，也有歷史古蹟的意涵。

I was most looking forward to visiting Ri Xing Type Foundry on the walking tour. Since reading about it in the newspapers two months ago, I had wanted to take a look at the shop in person. Ri Xing is the only type foundry left in Taiwan now. It is more than a shop; in fact, there is much historic significance to it.