Christmas Eve is translated into Chinese as, literally, "the night of peace" (平安夜), but the last several months have been anything but peaceful for the thousands shaken by September's earthquake and who are still without permanent housing.
As temperatures continue to drop, many have been forced to huddle in drafty tents and shanty-like structures to escape from Taiwan's bone-chilling wet winter cold.
To bring a little warmth and holiday cheer to quake victims, Premier Vincent Siew (
Siew will preside at the opening of prefab housing for 100 families in Nantou City, and hand out gifts and "condolence payments" (always a crowd pleaser).
Siew's spokesperson would not disclose whether Premier Siew will be wearing a Santa suit while distributing the gifts.
Chen will spend Christmas Eve with homeless earthquake victims in Taichung County.
Yesterday he asked all the people in Taiwan to make a wish not only for peace, but also for speedy reconstruction.
But most earthquake victims do not have a strong emotional attachment to Christmas. Psychologists are more worried about depression setting in among victims as we approach the Chinese New Year.
To prevent holiday blues from taking root at that time, the government is planning to sponsor a series of cultural activities from the beginning of Chinese New Year festivities on Jan. 30 -- when the Kitchen God is asked to report to the Jade Emperor -- to the Lantern Festival on Feb. 19, which marks the end of the holiday period.
Independent presidential candidate Hsu Hsin-liang apparently feels that last-minute Christmas shoppers are in greater need of moral support. Hsu pledged to appear before the Hsintian Branch of the Hsin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store at 6:30pm sharp on Christmas Eve, dressed in full Santa dress.
Hsu said he would be available for pictures with visitors to the store, and promised not to fish for future votes while listening to childrens' wishes.
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