Book excerpt: The famous author Rudyard Kipling once wrote, "East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." Yet they have met in the Eurasian people, blending cultures and world views profoundly alien to each other. From the surprising blend of flavours in Eurasian cuisine to their distinctive language and customs, synthesis and fusion are the keywords that define the Eurasian people, long before the concept was popularised by the rise of the global village. What does it mean to be Eurasian? Bridging the traditional divide between East and West, the Eurasian people are able to draw on an unmatched wealth of traditions for inspiration in the arts and cuisine. Join us on a voyage of discovery as we explore the rich and unique heritage of a true world culture in this part of the Asiapac Culture series!