Journal of Lifology

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There are three theme parks presenting the indigenous culture in Taiwan. Among them is Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Culture Park, which was established in 1976 and has been administrated by the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Executive Yuan since 2002. Analyzing the case of this park, this paper examines the functions of public theme parks and the represented ethnic groups in conservation of the indigenous culture and the development of tourism. The main findings from the analysis are: 1) intangible culture such as the lifestyle, custom, and art, as well as tangible culture, is represented in archives through symbolization, electronization and embedding staffs body, 2) the staff are required to be fully equipped with knowledge on the culture of the 14 tribes through training, 3) presenting the physical aspects of the indigenous culture through the 'participative attractions' such as 'ball spiking' and 'shooting', this park adapts the display method employed in 'ethnological exhibit' functions. These observations imply the role of public theme parks as a significant form of ethnic tourism in generating a new public image on 'unity' among indigenous ethnic groups and their 'integration' into the country.

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Taipei Guest House, Office of the president in Taiwan, was the residence of ex Taiwanese Governor during the Japanese Colonization from the year of 1895 to 1945. The purpose of this study is to clarify the history of the use of this garden as ex Taiwanese Governor Garden. And we focus on three points, they are 1) the transition of the garden space and facilities; 2) users and activities in the garden for understanding the relation between human beings and garden space; 3) and the functions of this garden as a governor garden. As a result, Japanese and Western attached style was intaken to this garden in 1901 A.D. for the purpose to present the Japanese authority to Taiwanese people. According to literatures and photos, the users of this garden included governors, the royal family from Japan, and even common people under the advance invitation and application. It presented the public and social character as a space even it was a garden of a residence. And based on the analysis on the transition the programs and space use of 45 events, we found this garden was not only an attached space of a residence but also a space for official purpose during this period.

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