MOFA lauds book by Belize governor general

2015-05-18

The Taiwan launch of a short story collection in Mandarin by Belize Governor General Colville Young underscores the strength of ties between the ROC and the Central American nation, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin May 14.

“‘Pataki Full: Seven Belizean Short Stories’ draws upon the folklore and the down-home wisdom of Belize,” Lin said. “I was deeply impressed by the stories when first reading them during an official trip to the diplomatic ally last year.”

Lin made the remarks during a special ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei City.

According to the minister, he is grateful for the governor general's permission to translate the book and publish in Taiwan. “By sharing his culture with local readers, Young has further consolidated the foundation for everlasting friendship and prosperity between the two sides,” he said.

Written in Creole and English, the stories portray the gamut of life in Belize. Referring to Pataki as a traditional basket used by his people, Young said he included the term in the title to preserve the cultural heritage of the Caribbean country, a former British colony until gaining independence in 1981.

“Some of the stories are amusing, while some are about superstitions and folklore,” Young said. “They also touch upon the old issues of ethnicity and colonization of our land, which has since developed into a place of inclusiveness and equality for all.”

Belize is a multicultural and multiethnic nation, Young said, adding that it comprises a large community of immigrants from Taiwan, India, numerous Muslim-majority states and mainland China.

“The Mandarin edition of this book will take my tales to a wider audience worldwide as Chinese is rapidly gaining in importance and popularity in the 21st century.”

Young, in country on a five-day trip, will viist New Taipei City for a book donation at Ji-Mei Elementary School. He is scheduled to return May 15 to Belize.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=230458&ctNode=413)