Dutch Heritage Studies Launched at NCKU
Tainan, Taiwan, May 11th, 2011
The Dutch presence in 17th-century Formosa has left historical sites such as Fort Anping and Fort Santo Domingo. Three hundred years later, former Dutch ambassador Menno Goedhart began a project of Dutch heritage at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan.
Fascinated by the culture and lifestyle of Taiwan, especially the indigenous people, Goedhart even published a book titled The Real Taiwan and the Dutch, introducing numerous historical remains from the Dutch colonial period.
The Dutch heritage is part of Taiwanese history, but many historical relics left behind from the 38 years of Dutch colonial rule in Taiwan are yet to be discovered.
“An online and open database with texts, images, audios and videos will be built to show the Dutch heritage in Taiwan,” said 64-year-old Menno Goedhart, who became a research expert at NCKU Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS).
The database will be built in Chinese and English and categorized by cities and counties. Users can browse through thousands of photos and places to understand the background stories and historical significance.
“Tales will be proved and facts will be reconfirmed before placing them online,” added Goedhart. “When controversies over time or place arise among scholars and experts, we will organize workshops to reach consensus.”
For instance, when the exact location of a Dutch officer being killed by Puyuma becomes debatable, a workshop can be held. Another subject worthy of discussion is the name of Fort Santo Domingo, which was constructed by the Dutch but believed by many to be built by the Spanish.
Already capturing the media’s attention with his project, Menno Goedhart hopes to bring an all-inclusive database to the eyes of the public by 2016.
In addition, Menno Goedhart is eagerly promoting student and faculty exchange between his alma mater Leiden University and National Cheng Kung University.
A student from Sinology Department at Leiden will come to NCKU to assist Goedhart with his research and two scholars from History Department and Center for International Heritage respectively will deliver speeches at NCKU next term.
The Dutch presence in 17th-century Formosa has left historical sites such as Fort Anping and Fort Santo Domingo. Three hundred years later, former Dutch ambassador Menno Goedhart began a project of Dutch heritage at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan.
Fascinated by the culture and lifestyle of Taiwan, especially the indigenous people, Goedhart even published a book titled The Real Taiwan and the Dutch, introducing numerous historical remains from the Dutch colonial period.
The Dutch heritage is part of Taiwanese history, but many historical relics left behind from the 38 years of Dutch colonial rule in Taiwan are yet to be discovered.
“An online and open database with texts, images, audios and videos will be built to show the Dutch heritage in Taiwan,” said 64-year-old Menno Goedhart, who became a research expert at NCKU Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS).
The database will be built in Chinese and English and categorized by cities and counties. Users can browse through thousands of photos and places to understand the background stories and historical significance.
“Tales will be proved and facts will be reconfirmed before placing them online,” added Goedhart. “When controversies over time or place arise among scholars and experts, we will organize workshops to reach consensus.”
For instance, when the exact location of a Dutch officer being killed by Puyuma becomes debatable, a workshop can be held. Another subject worthy of discussion is the name of Fort Santo Domingo, which was constructed by the Dutch but believed by many to be built by the Spanish.
Already capturing the media’s attention with his project, Menno Goedhart hopes to bring an all-inclusive database to the eyes of the public by 2016.
In addition, Menno Goedhart is eagerly promoting student and faculty exchange between his alma mater Leiden University and National Cheng Kung University.
A student from Sinology Department at Leiden will come to NCKU to assist Goedhart with his research and two scholars from History Department and Center for International Heritage respectively will deliver speeches at NCKU next term.
Provider:
News Center
Date:
100.05.11
