Jedi forces are set to land in Taipei tomorrow, when the nation plays host to what is already being dubbed "the most powerful unofficial Star Wars fan gathering ever held in East Asia," in order to celebrate the first Chinese-language publication of Timothy Zahn's popular Star Wars saga novels.
Jointly organized by the Chinese Global Forum (華人網), founders of the movie--related Web site www.starwarsforce.com, and the local publishing house, Fantasy Literature (奇幻文學), the event begins at 1:30pm tomorrow at the Taipei Youth Activity Center (青少年育樂中心).
The main event is the launch of Lucifer Chu's (朱學恆) translation of Zahn's 1991 Heir to the Empire, the first in a series of five books that the publisher hopes to release over the next three years. Chu has already established a reputation for himself as the translator of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit.
If the Star Wars series proves successful, as the publishers confidently expect, then other translations of Zahn's science fiction work are likely to follow.
Organizers are being rather coy as to the number of people they expect to attend the event, but it is hoped that Death Star Stormtroopers will be rubbing shoulders with Darth Vaders, Luke Skywalkers, Han Solos, Princess Leias, Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobis, and even the odd Tusken Raider or two. All of whom will become honorary Jedi Knights for the day and be asked to recite the Jedi Oath.
Although slated as a Star Wars gig, the day's events are in fact open to fans of all types of science fiction, be it Star Trek: Voyager, Babylon 5 or Captain Scarlet.
According to organizers a universal treaty with local `Trekies' has been signed and anyone who turns up speaking Vulcan and with pointed ears will be allowed to live long, prosper and enjoy the days events without fear of being executed with a light saber!
The Star Wars Celebration will begin at 1:30pm tomorrow on the 10th floor of the Taipei Youth Activity Center (青少年育樂中心), which is located at 17 Jenai Rd., Sec. 1, Taipei, Taiwan (台北市仁愛路1段17號). While organizers would like to see everyone dressed up in costumes, fancy dress is not obligatory: a rabid appetite for science fiction and a little insanity is a must, however.
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