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Taiwan hosts Einstein show after China backs out
Taipei, Nov 07: Taiwan is hosting an exhibition on the life and work of Albert Einstein after the show was rejected by China because of the great scientist`s links to Zionism, according to officials.
Taipei, Nov 07: Taiwan is hosting an exhibition on the life and work of Albert Einstein after the show was rejected by China because of the great scientist`s links to Zionism, according to officials.
The exhibition, consisting of posters reproducing photos, letters and documents relating to Einstein, is being held in the central city of Taichung after it was inaugurated in Taipei last month, the Israel Economic and Cultural Office
(ISECO) said.
The show entitled "Man of the Century – Albert Einstein," provides a rare opportunity for the Taiwanese public to learn about Einstein`s scientific achievements along with his strong backing for the Jewish state.
Ovid Tzeng, Deputy Head of Taiwan`s highest academic body Academia Sinica, hailed the show at its opening saying it would help promote scientific education here.
But ironically, the exhibition was only made possible after China turned down the opportunity to stage it.
"They (Chinese officials) felt unease about the fact that Einstein is a Jew, and that he supported the Zionist movement calling for the establishment of a Jewish state," Israel`s de-facto ambassador to Taipei Menashe Zipori, or head of ISECO, told AFP.
Zipori regretted that the Chinese authorities "did not like the fact."
Israel rejected calls by China to remove parts of the show it deemed unacceptable, cancelled the show and shifted it to Taiwan.
It was due to have opened in Beijing in late September before embarking on a tour of major cities including Shanghai and Southern Guangzhou.
Ovid Tzeng, Deputy Head of Taiwan`s highest academic body Academia Sinica, hailed the show at its opening saying it would help promote scientific education here.
But ironically, the exhibition was only made possible after China turned down the opportunity to stage it.
"They (Chinese officials) felt unease about the fact that Einstein is a Jew, and that he supported the Zionist movement calling for the establishment of a Jewish state," Israel`s de-facto ambassador to Taipei Menashe Zipori, or head of ISECO, told AFP.
Zipori regretted that the Chinese authorities "did not like the fact."
Israel rejected calls by China to remove parts of the show it deemed unacceptable, cancelled the show and shifted it to Taiwan.
It was due to have opened in Beijing in late September before embarking on a tour of major cities including Shanghai and Southern Guangzhou.
Bureau Report