Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network-Shining New Taipei 1314 Cross-River Fireworks to Light Up on 12/31! SUPER JUNIOR-L.S.S. Headlines the Event

Parma ham is one of Italy's tastiest exports. Now it's in big trouble

Renowned for its exquisite taste, Parma ham, or Prosciutto di Parma, holds a special place in Italian culinary tradition. This delicacy, protected by strict guidelines, is crafted in Emilia Romagna using Italian pork legs, salt, and air. Annually generating $1.6 billion, Parma ham attracts food enthusiasts from around the globe, eager to experience its authentic flavor in its place of origin.However, this culinary gem faces mounting challenges. Climate change and African swine fever have significantly impacted production. Warmer nights now require curing rooms to be equipped with air conditioning, as traditional methods relying on cool, fresh air struggle against rising temperatures.African swine fever, a contagious virus fatal to pigs, has further strained the industry. Over 200,000 pigs in Lombardy alone have been culled since the outbreak in 2021, with severe consequences for supply and pricing. Stricter controls and international pork export bans from affected regions have compounded difficulties, reducing the availability of high-quality pork legs and driving costs up.Italian pigs have been at risk from a swine fever outbreak that emerged in 2021. Luca Bruno/APDespite these challenges, Parma’s prosciutto producers remain steadfast. Traditional methods, like the 400-day curing process and meticulous quality checks with horse-bone needles, continue to preserve the art of Parma ham-making. Meanwhile, food lovers flock to the region, enjoying not only the ham but also its pairing with other local delicacies like Parmesan cheese and Modena balsamic vinegar.Efforts are ongoing to address these challenges. Producers are adapting to climate changes and advocating for better understanding of safety measures to maintain export markets. While obstacles persist, the resilience of Parma ham artisans ensures that this iconic product retains its place on the global stage.

2024-11-27 09:00

UFOs, boats and castles: Surreal photos of Japan's most peculiar ‘love hotels’

French photographer François Prost recently embarked on a 3,000-kilometer journey across Japan to document the country’s iconic "love hotels." These establishments, known for their bold and whimsical architecture, cater primarily to couples seeking privacy. Prost’s series captures the quirky designs, including buildings shaped like UFOs, boats, castles, and even whales, reflecting a uniquely Japanese architectural tradition.Emerging in the 1960s and 1970s, these hotels were designed to stand out and indicate their purpose at a glance. While some exteriors mimic European castles or Arabian palaces, others feature colorful, playful facades, like the candy-themed Sweets Hotel in Shibuya. Despite their flamboyance, privacy remains a core element, with design features like separate entrances and exits, self-check-ins, and minimal windows ensuring discretion.The candy-themed Sweets Hotel in Tokyo's downtown Shibuya district. Francois ProstThough their popularity peaked in the late 20th century, love hotels remain a significant part of Japan’s cultural landscape. Once associated with sex work, they now primarily serve couples, particularly those living in shared homes, offering a space for leisure and intimacy. However, newer establishments often adopt subtler designs due to stricter regulations introduced in the 1980s.Prost’s photographs highlight the juxtaposition of Japan’s conservative societal norms and the creative freedom expressed through these buildings. With plans to compile the images into a book via Kickstarter, Prost aims to showcase not just the hotels but the cultural nuances of modern Japan. As with his previous projects, these images go beyond architecture, offering a lens into the social fabric of the country.

2024-11-27 09:00

Shining New Taipei 1314 Cross-River Fireworks to Light Up on 12/31! SUPER JUNIOR-L.S.S. Headlines the Event

New Taipei City’s grand year-end event, "Shining New Taipei 1314 Cross-River Fireworks," will take place on December 31 at Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, Customs Wharf, and Bali Left Bank. Spanning across the Tamsui and Bali riversides, this is Taiwan’s only cross-river fireworks show, set to become a must-visit tourist hotspot once again! The highlight of the event, which also doubles as the most anticipated music concert of the year, will feature SUPER JUNIOR-L.S.S. (Leeteuk, Shindong, and Siwon) as the headline performers. Their powerful songs and dynamic dance moves will create the perfect finale for the cross-river fireworks celebration. The evening’s fireworks show will ignite at 8:25 PM, dazzling spectators for an impressive 13 minutes and 14 seconds and marking Taiwan’s earliest New Year’s Eve fireworks to welcome 2025. After the fireworks display, the international headline act, SUPER JUNIOR’s subunit L.S.S. (Leeteuk, Shindong, and Siwon), will perform their exclusive concert. This will be their first-ever New Year’s Eve performance in Taiwan, bringing high-energy music and dance to the audience. The members shared their excitement about choosing Taiwan for their first New Year’s Eve performance since their formation and expressed gratitude to fans, saying, “2024 has been filled with wonderful memories in Taiwan. We look forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary with Taiwanese fans next year.”New Taipei Year-End Finale Announced! SUPER JUNIOR-L.S.S. to Perform Exclusively in Tamsui on December 31 (Photo: Courtesy of New Taipei City Government Website)The music concert will kick off in the afternoon, hosted by Huang Teng-Hui, Tseng Tzu-Yu, and Liang Shu-Han, whose diverse hosting styles promise to bring laughter and energy to the event. As the cross-river fireworks light up the sky, landmarks on both sides of the river will join in welcoming the new year. The New Taipei City Government strongly encourages attendees to use public transportation to reach Tamsui and Bali for this year-end celebration, ensuring everyone enjoys a safe and festive atmosphere as they greet 2025.The host lineup for "Shining New Taipei 1314 Cross-River Fireworks" features Huang Teng-Hui, who will join hands with Tseng Tzu-Yu and Liang Shu-Han (Photo: Courtesy of New Taipei City Government Website).

2024-11-27 09:05

Shining New Taipei 1314 Cross-River Fireworks to Light Up on 12/31! SUPER JUNIOR-L.S.S. Headlines the Event

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Taiwan 我來了

Popular News

Parma ham is one of Italy's tastiest exports. Now it's in big trouble

UFOs, boats and castles: Surreal photos of Japan's most peculiar ‘love hotels’

Shining New Taipei 1314 Cross-River Fireworks to Light Up on 12/31! SUPER JUNIOR-L.S.S. Headlines the Event