From examining Taiwan's holiday phenomenon from the more meaningful perspectives mentioned above, I have drawn the following conclusions: 1. We are losing our poetic imagination about traditional culture, so the lunar new year holidays have become commercialized and very boring. 2. We have stopped caring for nature, so holiday trips have become rushed, with no time taken to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. 3. We are no longer willing to listen to and understand our friends and relatives, so the holiday gathering has become a cold formality. 4. We have lost the ability to listen to and reflect on ourselves, so leisure activities have become vulgar and meaningless.
Other than by flying to foreign countries for the holidays to seek a land of peace and happiness and to enjoy the freshness of life overseas, can we make our lunar new year holidays more meaningful and creative?
Wang Hui-lan is an assistant professor at National Pingtung Teachers College.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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