Dictatorial Rule and Collective Memory
The 228 Incident, also called the 228 Massacre refers to the violent suppression of nationwide protests in Taiwan by the Kuomintang, unfolding from February 28, 1947. Thousands of civilians were arrested, abducted, or killed, marking the beginning of decades of White Terror. Public reckoning with this event only began in the wake of Taiwan’s democratization in the late 1980s.
Join us and learn more about an important and difficult chapter in Taiwanese history. We will investigate the reasons and conditions that led to the massacre, the impact of the crackdown on society in the following decades, and the processes and challenges that have arisen in the current process of coming to terms with it.
Questions
What long-term consequences might there be if the reckoning with the 228 Massacre is delayed or in-complete, particularly for public trust, collective memory, and cohesion in Taiwan?
How should a society deal with historical figures like Chiang Kai-shek, who are associated with both state violence and the subsequent development of the nation?
To what extent can efforts to come to terms with the past, including the 228 massacre and the role of Chiang Kai-shek, contribute to societal division, and where is the line between necessary reckoning and political polarization?
Event details
Date: Friday, 13 February 2026
Time: 6:30–8:00 pm
Location: Mibap, Torstraße 22, 10119 Berlin
https://www.eventbrite.de/e/taiwan-talks-228-tickets-1982009318225?
