In playgrounds across Taiwan a jumbo surprise awaits children in the form of colourful elephant slides, evoking nostalgia for older Taiwanese who say the structures used to be ubiquitous across the island.
Known as "Grandpa Elephant", the slides are primarily made of terrazzo or concrete, and were a regular school yard feature during the '60s and '70s.
But their sightings have dwindled since the island tightened playground safety regulations, with some slides removed, while others are off-limits to children.
"The elephant slide is like a friend who grew up with us," said Yu Chiu-ling, who has been documenting the remaining structures since 2010.
Yu, a writer, said the idea for the project was ignited by a visit to her old primary school in western Lukang township where the sight of the elephant slide sparked intense nostalgia in her.
This story is from the October 14, 2024 edition of The Citizen.
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This story is from the October 14, 2024 edition of The Citizen.
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