Through "Czechoslovakia, a Traveler, and Formosa in the 1920s: A Special Exhibition (捷克斯洛伐克 X 旅人 X 福爾摩沙 1920's 特展)", the records of Bohumil Pospisil, the first Czechoslovakian traveler to visit Formosa, are brought to Taiwan a century later. This exhibition is a collaboration between the National Museum of Taiwan History (NMTH) and Czech scholars, and it aims to relive the moments of the first meeting between Taiwan and Czechoslovakia through Pospisil's notes, travelogues, and photographs.
Renowned as the Marco Polo of Czechoslovakia, Pospisil was a traveler and journalist during the First Czechoslovak Republic. Upon disembarking from Keelung in 1929, he traveled through Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Taitung, and Hualien. His visit was broadly covered by radio and newspaper during that time.
Pospisil was a strong anti-colonialist. His actions were closely monitored by the Japanese colonial authority during his visit. Fortunately, he met Chiang Wei-shui (蔣渭水), a Taiwanese socio-political activist, and was given the opportunity to give public speeches. Despite having restricted freedom, Pospisil brought along photographs and postcards when he returned and showed his impression of Formosa to the Czechoslovak society.
Vice Culture Minister Hsu Yi-chun (徐宜君) pointed out that this exhibition not only showed the similarities between the two nations in the process of democratization, it also highlighted the significance of Taiwan as a meeting point of trade and culture. The cultures of both countries are able to blossom due to their respect for multiculturalism and universal values. The Ministry of Culture will continue to support NMTH to interact with the international community through exhibitions and cultural research, she added.
"Czechoslovakia, a Traveler, and Formosa in the 1920s: A Special Exhibition" is open now until March 17, 2024, at National Museum of Taiwan History. For the latest information, please visit NMTH's website, and the official Facebook and Instagram page.