The History of Religion in Taiwan is the History of Violence, Migration & Coexistence

Plus: Happy New Year and a sobering read from Noah Smith

Hello dear readers,

Happy New Year! We went to a lovely New Year gathering hosted by one of Michelle’s work friends; it was so nice, although we definitely were the oldest people there. We were home in bed by 11:30. We wished we had attended the “crying to welcome the new year” party in Da’an Park, in which thousands of people gathered to watch a Tsai Ming-Liang film, Vive l’amour, about urban alienation (there’s apparently a 7 minute crying scene). The months of December and January are always a bit intense for us in Taiwan, because three members of our families have birthdays, we’re still in full-on work mode, and loved ones from abroad come home. But we’ve been so happy to see people—especially those of you whom we’ve reconnected with after so long. Hope you’ve all had a great start to the new year and we hope you have a wonderful 2025.