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Chimei Museum pulls out rare instruments for festival

The 2026 Chimei Music Festival is coming up soon in September. This year, audiences are to enjoy a whole new level of splendor with the rare addition of 13 centuries-old stringed instruments. Among them are the extraordinary Viennese black viola and lion-head viola, which were crafted exclusively for royalty. Let’s go on a special sneak peak of this one-of-a-kind event.

The rich sound of strings resonate among the paintings in this gallery to tease the start of this year’s highly anticipated Chimei Music Festival.

This year, classical music aficionados will get to hear 13 rare stringed instruments from the Chimei Museum collection. One of them is this 300-year-old viola. Traces of its original black varnish are still visible, applied by order of the Holy Roman Empress in mourning for the late Emperor.

Chung Tai-ting
Chimei Museum stringed instruments advisor
After the Holy Roman Emperor passed away in 1765, the Empress felt that instruments played on stage should show respect to the royal family and ordered them to be varnished black.

Although the varnish has worn away over time to reveal the wood underneath, the instrument itself remains as a testament to its history. This other viola crafted in 1674 reflects the unique tastes of European royalty of the time with its carved lion-head scroll. It’s one of only four surviving Stainer violas in the world today.

Chung Tai-ting
Chimei Museum stringed instruments advisor
Lion-head instruments were all ordered custom. They’re no ordinary instruments. This is the first time we’re hosting a performance with this viola.

This year’s festival will feature music by Johannes Brahms, the leading luminary of German composition, bringing audiences on a journey through 19th-century central European music.

Chung Chia-hsin
Chimei Museum representative
We’re featuring 13 rare stringed instruments, each with centuries of history. It’s also exceptionally rare that they’re all related to Brahms in some way.

Playing masterpieces of composition with instruments from the time offers a unique opportunity for classical music lovers to hear the music as it would have sounded. By bringing 13 instruments out of its collection for the public to hear, this year’s festival promises to be the best yet.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#ChimeiMuseum #violin #viola #classicalmusic #Brahms #Stainerviola #ChimeiMusicFestival #historic

2026-07-27

Tainan, Kaohsiung restaurants earn Michelin star within year of opening

This year’s Michelin Guide has been released! After just opening last year, Yu Dao in Tainan was awarded a star for its seasonal Taiwanese flavors prepared with French techniques. Hābu in Kaohsiung was also given a star after being open for less than a year. Coming from a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, the founder incorporates medicinal herbs into Japanese kaiseki cuisine, making it Taiwan’s very first starred restaurant inspired by traditional medicine.

A crispy shell made from red dates complements perfectly with the date puree inside for the perfect guilt-free treat. It’s hard to imagine using medicinal herbs in fine dining, but this small bistro in Kaohsiung, Hābu, has managed to do just that. Their creativity earned them a Michelin star this year.

Shawn
Hābu owner
I was surprised of course, but I also hope that the recognition can help us continue to make traditional herbal medicine a part of people’s lives in different ways.

Coming from a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, the owner, Mr. Lu, carefully selects herbs sold wholesale by his family and uses them to craft signature spice mixes, seamlessly blending them with everyday cuisine.

Shawn
Hābu owner
We use traditional medicinal ingredients along with fresh herbs. When guests take it home, it’s a bit like a scent diffuser, but it’s actually very soothing.

Just as traditional medicine emphasizes seasonal wellness, so does the chef by incorporating French marigold and thyme into the dessert. Ingredients with light and refreshing herbal scents help dispel internal heat, cementing the establishment as Taiwan’s very first “herbal medicine” restaurant with a Michelin star.

Tsai Chih-fan
Hābu executive chef
In the summer, we focus on nourishing the heart, so we use more red ingredients. As for spices, during the summer, we adopt milder, more refreshing spices and medicinal herbs.

Yu Dao in Tainan, which also opened last year, was also awarded a star by the Michelin Guide. They source about 70% of their ingredients from Tainan, which they prepare using French culinary techniques to reinterpret these seasonal foods.

Yang Po-wei
Yu Dao executive chef
Lotus seeds from Baihe, as well as pineapple and green bamboo shoots from Guanmiao are all items we frequently have on the menu.

The executive chef is a Tainan native who returned from Taitung to open the restaurant. He hopes to prove that there’s more to Tainan than just street food.

Chen Yi-ting
Yu Dao manager
I got goosebumps when I heard we got a star! I truly feel like this recognition reflects the hard work put in by every single member of the team.

From reinterpreting local Tainan flavors to pioneering uses of herbal medicine in Kaohsiung, a new generation of restaurateurs has landed Michelin stars with their creativity. They’ve not only breathed new life into traditional cuisine, but also opened a fresh chapter in Taiwan’s culinary map.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#MichelinGuide #Michelin #restaurants #Tainan #Kaohsiung #Yudao #Habu #traditionalChinesemedicine #herbalmedicine

2026-07-27

Public embraces piano outside Weiwuying to perform

A public piano outside the Weiwuying performing arts center in Kaohsiung has been getting a lot of use recently, with people giving spontaneous piano, violin, and vocal performances. In a report live from the venue, FTV found that shockingly, many of these talented musicians don’t have any formal training. They only came to Weiwuying to share their passion for music.

A lilting melody lifts from the piano, accompanying a vocalist’s haunting voice. They’re performing at the main hall outside Weiwuying in Kaohsiung while many spectators listen, spellbound.

Another pianist plays while singing in his deep, resonant voice. This musician, Chen Yin-chun, just graduated from high school and is set to attend Taipei National University of the Arts later this year.

Chen Yin-chun
Performer
It seemed like anyone could go play, so I thought, hey, why not give it a shot? Then more and more people stopped to listen, and I started getting a greater sense of accomplishment. It feels like I’m sharing something.

Many videos have been going up online of amateur musicians giving stunning performances here outside Weiwuying. While professionals are gracing the stage inside, many different talents can have their time to shine out here. Playing in this plaza has become a cherished hobby for many.

Hsu Chia-fang
Performer
Many of the people here are self-taught. It made me realize that I could also try teaching myself piano. Actually, all of this was taught to me by the people here.

With both amateurs and professional teachers popping up to perform, it’s also become a favorite spot for spectators.

Local resident
Relaxes at Weiwuying
Often when I’m at home, I feel uncomfortable and find it hard to relax. But coming here to listen to this really relaxes me.

Local resident
Listens to music at Weiwuying
I think it’s fantastic that we can come to a public space like this to listen to music that you’d otherwise hear in the concert hall.

Hsu Chih-wei
Weiwuying technical manager
We’ve seen so many casual musicians and all kinds of people coming to play and showcase their talent here. It makes all the hard work of maintaining and caring for this place feel truly worth it.

A single piano placed out in public can draw out all kinds of hidden talent. People here are making friends too, filling both the inside and outside of Weiwuying with the joy of music.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Weiwuying #publicpiano #hiddentalent #musician #amateurmusician #music #selftaught #talent

2026-07-27

Japanese lawmaker Furuya Keiji receives Order of Brilliant Star

2026-07-27

Shifen trip to set off sky lanterns almost ends in hospital trip

A fun trip to set off sky lanterns almost ended with a hospital visit in the town of Shifen in New Taipei. The town is famous around the world, with tourists flocking to the area to take picturesque photos and videos of lanterns being released into the sky from the railway tracks. But this past weekend, one of the lanterns floating away turned into a fiery projectile. The bundle of burning paper used as fuel detached itself from the lantern and came crashing down on the crowd, right next to a visitor’s feet. The lantern itself then crashed against an electrical transformer box, which could have started a fire. Let’s hear more.

Visitor
Shifen
It’s quite dangerous if it falls on someone.

Visitor
Shifen
Maybe it’s the design, or maybe they should’ve secured it better.

Visitor
Shifen
It’s really dangerous, and it could start a fire! I’ll only be buying stickers here. I haven’t set off any lanterns and I don’t plan to.

Lantern shop owner
Unrelated to incident
Usually, you only have seven, eight or nine sheets. If you put too many it will likely fly further. But if the wind blows it down, it could fall.

Lantern shop owner
Unrelated to incident
If you don’t hook the fuel paper properly, it could fall off when the lantern rises to the sky. When we turn the lantern around, we check that it’s caught on tightly. Otherwise, it’s dangerous.

Sky lanterns have a long tradition in Shifen, where they were originally used as a tool for communication. Releasing a lantern to the sky symbolized safety for all to see. But now the tradition has morphed into a way for people to make wishes. There have been many incidents over the years, as fire and paper are the perfect recipe for a spectacular blaze. In one recent incident caught on camera, a lantern drifted into a local resident’s balcony, where clothes were hanging up to dry. The lantern crashed against the stand, causing a fire that burned the garments.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#shifen #taiwantourism #skylantern #magical #wishes

2026-07-27

Aussie rescued in cave in May trains to be volunteer firefighter

The Taitung County Fire Department just held its first-ever high-tech search-and-rescue training session, an event that featured a variety of drones and remote-controlled life buoys as well as volunteer firefighters. One of the trainees stood out from the pack; it was Matthew, an Australian man who was rescued back in May after he got lost in the mountains of Donghe Township. It turns out that Matthew is an adept surfer, making him perfect for water rescue.

Four different types of drones are all airborne during this mock water rescue training session, which also requires each unit to operate a remote-controlled lifebuoy. Being able to simultaneously perform search-and-rescue in the air and water showcases how different units can coordinate on an integrated disaster response.

One face stands out from the crowd: it’s Matthew, the Australian national who rose to fame in May when he was rescued in the mountains of Donghe Township.

On May 15, Matthew grabbed his saxophone case and hopped on his scooter. He originally was just trying to find some peace in the mountains after an argument at home, yet he accidentally ended up getting trapped in a cave, where he stayed for 7 days. Lacking food and having no electronics, the man was able to find water despite having sandals on his feet. With the odds against him, he was saved.

When he was being rescued, the firefighters realized that he quickly picked up how to climb and rappel using ropes. He also excels at surfing, making him a standout candidate in the water. Seeing his potential, back in May his rescuers told him he should consider becoming a volunteer firefighter.

Lu Tung-fa
Taitung County fire chief
Our partner Matthew’s expertise is in surfing, so he can do water rescue. He wants to join us, to join the ranks of the Water Area Rescue Volunteer Firefighters.

One of Matthew’s rescuers was also part of the training event, and once again the two appeared on candid camera. Back in May they were rescuer and rescued, but two months later they’re training together, meaning that someday they might just be on the same rescue team.

- Has he filled out the application form?
- Not yet. But as long as he’s willing, then we’ll get him a form to fill out.

Low-key as usual, Matthew didn’t want to be interviewed. But his appearance at the event was a sign of good things to come, because the Taitung County Fire Department is looking forward to the day when the former survivor fills out his volunteer firefighter application and completes his training to become a life saver.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#volunteer #firefighter #firefighting #waterrescue #Taitung #Matthew #Australia

2026-07-27

Taiwanese baseball fans flock to New York for 22nd MLB Taiwan Day

The New York Mets’ Taiwanese Heritage Day celebrated its 22nd anniversary on July 26, but this year had a special first: Taiwanese-American NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren threw out the first pitch. Lindgren faced stiff competition from two other celebrity pitchers: CPBL commissioner Tsai Chi-chang and Ive vocalist Jang Won-young, a pitcher whose change-up might’ve stolen the hearts of Taiwanese K-pop enthusiasts.

NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren throws a pitch and CPBL commissioner Tsai Chi-chang hurls another strike. The Taiwanese duo is in Citi Field, home of the New York Nets. But today the Big Apple is full of Taiwanese baseball fans who are wearing Taiwan No. 1 shirts for Taiwanese Heritage Day, which celebrated its 22nd anniversary this year.

Kjell N. Lindgren
Taiwanese-American NASA astronaut
I’m more nervous about throwing out a first pitch than I was ever about launching into space.

Born in Taipei in 1973, Lindgren fulfilled his lifelong dream back in 2015 when he first went into space. Regardless of whether he’s on Planet Earth or in the cosmos, Lindgren has always cherished maintaining his connection to Taiwan.

Kjell N. Lindgren
Taiwanese-American NASA astronaut
Celebrating Taiwan Day for 22 years at Citi Field with the Mets, and I’m excited to be here.

For years Taiwanese fans have called on the MLB to hold games in Taiwan, and even CPBL Commissioner Tsai Chi-chang promised he’ll be extending an invite to the world’s biggest professional baseball league.

Tsai Chi-chang
CPBL Commissioner
For Asia, MLB currently only holds regular season games in South Korea and Japan. We have many fans who are looking forward to the day when games might be played in Taiwan. So, I’ll bring this matter up with the MLB’s commissioner.

It may have been Taiwan Day, but Asian neighbor South Korea also had its talent on display in the ballpark. Ive’s Jang Won-young threw the game’s official first pitch.

Jang must’ve practiced her wind-up as well as that coquettish pose for the camera. Overall, it was a great day for Taiwanese baseball fans, who were able to witness Taiwan sports diplomacy blended with a touch of K-pop entertainment.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#K-pop #Ive # JangWon-young #KjellLindgren #NASA #MLB #baseball #Mets #NewYork

2026-07-27

Popular swim spot under scrutiny after man drowns

A popular natural swimming spot in Keelung has come under scrutiny, after the death of a swimmer this past weekend. The location is Shigong Pond, in Qidu District, where locals flock to on hot days, despite a sign saying that swimming is forbidden. The man who lost his life was surnamed Chu, and was in his 50s. He had submerged himself underwater, and didn’t come to the surface for a period of time, prompting others in the area to rush to his rescue. People who frequent the spot say there are plenty of areas where the water isn’t deep, and there’s even a swimming club that meets at the pond. But a government official says the site is dangerous, and a city councilor is urging the government to do something about it.

In the blazing summer heat, swimming spots like these are packed. It was here where tragedy struck on Sunday, as a 53-year-old man lost his life after he submerged himself and never came back up.

Swimmer
Tried to help with rescue
His wife told us her husband was underwater. When we brought him up, his body was all white. His feet were white. He wasn’t breathing, and had lost his pulse.

The man drowned at the Shigong Pond in Keelung’s Qidu District, considered a hidden gem for locals trying to stay cool in the heat. The victim was Mr. Chu, who’d brought over his wife and two kids on a day out. His wife started getting alarmed when she felt he was underwater for too long, and called for help. Two men jumped right in the water to rescue him, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Tsai Fu-ning
Keelung official
Though Shigong Pond appears calm, there are often whirlpools and areas where the water is very deep. It’s dangerous. It’s a water-management facility, not a recreational pool.

Officials say the site is not meant for dips, but judging from the amount of swimmers, one would think otherwise. The pond is 300m long and can reach depths of 2.5m. There’s even a swim club.

Swimmer
Swims safely
It’s not that different from a natural stream. It doesn’t get deep all of a sudden. You can reach the bottom until quite far in.

The sign says no swimming, and yet, there’s an area to rinse off after a swim. Since last year, City Councilor Tong Tzu-wei has been warning about the potential dangers of the site, saying that it’s not managed properly. He’s calling on the city government to do more than just put up a sign and consider the matter done with.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#swimming #keelung #naturalpool #pond #summer

2026-07-27

Staff at all-you-can-eat buffet go on mad chase after rat

2026-07-27

Taoyuan engineer develops mini palm-sized watermelon

It’s common these days to see watermelons so big you can’t even wrap both arms around one. But have you ever seen one small enough to fit in the palm of your hand? An engineer in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District with a penchant for farming came up with a new cultivation method to grow these mini watermelons in a greenhouse. He says they’re perfect for smaller households that can’t finish a full-sized watermelon, as these fruits are only a single portion.

There’s nothing better than taking a refreshing bite of watermelon in the searing summer heat. But what’s this? It fits in one hand!

Someone with larger hands picks up two at once, proving that they can fit in the palm of your hand. These unusually small fruits are perfect for gift baskets.

Chiang Lin-ta
Farmer
There aren’t many people in a single household these days. If you want a regular watermelon to bring home, you’re caught in a dilemma whether to buy it or not, since it’s hard to keep if you don’t finish it. But a melon of this size is perfect for a single serving, so people are more willing to buy it.

The creator of these mini watermelons is Chiang Lin-ta. Although he works as an engineer, as a third-generation melon farmer, he started growing watermelon as a side hustle. In his free time, he works hard in his greenhouse and fields to come up with innovative cultivation methods. Each tiny watermelon is less than 10cm in diameter, weighs 300g to 600g, and has a sweetness level of 7 to 10 degrees. The fruit is also crunchier than regular watermelon.

Chiang finds growing fruit to be interesting and stress-relieving. It’s also a way to spend time with his dad, giving him a deep sense of accomplishment.

Chiang Lin-ta
Farmer
Planting in the greenhouse yields a fruit-bearing rate of over 95%. In the 116-square-meter greenhouse, we can plant 400 vines that will yield over 1,000 melons.

Guanyin Farmers’ Association chair
The timing coincides with the Guanyin Lotus Festival, so the whole setup can be made into a leisure farm where tourists can come and pick fruit.

Although he hasn’t completely taken over the farm yet, Chiang continues to work alongside his father, leveraging his expertise to create new agricultural techniques and specialty produce that’s high-quality, marketable, and competitive.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#farmer #watermelon #fruit #Taoyuan #miniwatermelon #agriculture

2026-07-27