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Traditional performing art preserver Chen Pao-kuei passes away at 86
Chen Pao-kuei (陳寶貴), a preserver of the traditional performing art “liam kua (唸歌),” passed away on Nov. 24 at the age of 86. Upon hearing this news, Minister of Culture Li Yuan expressed his deepest condolences and commended Chen’s lifelong devotion to preserving and transmitting this traditional art. Liam kua, also known as chant-song, a traditional performing art practiced in Taiwan for over three centuries, blends music, singing, and storytelling. Born in 1939, Chen grew up surrounded by traditional opera and was deeply influenced by nanguan (南管) and Taiwanese opera. In addition to her outstanding singing techniques, she excelled in storytelling, which shaped her distinctive performing style. She met her performing partner Chen Mei-chu (陳美珠) in her teenage years, and despite being illiterate, both trained diligently for their performances. Renowned for their memorization of more than a hundred songs and their improvisational ability, they became known as the “treasures of Taiwanese liam kua.” In 1989, the duo brought their performances to television, receiving positive reviews for their superb vocals, storytelling, and versatility in portraying diverse roles. As the first of their kind to introduce this traditional art to television, they achieved a significant breakthrough and were recognized by the New Taipei Government as preservers of liam kua in 2016. According to the Ministry of Culture, Chen remained active in stage performances in her later years and served as a consultant for the Taiwan Liam-kua Troupe (台灣唸歌團), teaching yueqin playing and singing across various regions of the country. Her dedication to promoting Taiwan’s traditional performing arts has left a profound and lasting impact on the field.

Traditional performing art preserver Chen Pao-kuei passes away at 86

2025-12-01
Chen Pao-kuei (陳寶貴), a preserver of the traditional performing art “liam kua (唸歌),” passed away on Nov. 24 at the age of 86. Upon hearing this news, Minister of Culture Li Yuan expressed his deepest condolences and commended Chen’s lifelong devotion to preserving and transmitting this traditional art. Liam kua, also known as chant-song, a traditional performing art practiced in Taiwan for over three centuries, blends music, singing, and storytelling. Born in 1939, Chen grew up surrounded by traditional opera and was deeply influenced by nanguan (南管) and Taiwanese opera. In addition to her outstanding singing techniques, she excelled in storytelling, which shaped her distinctive performing style. She met her performing partner Chen Mei-chu (陳美珠) in her teenage years, and despite being illiterate, both trained diligently for their performances. Renowned for their memorization of more than a hundred songs and their improvisational ability, they became known as the “treasures of Taiwanese liam kua.” In 1989, the duo brought their performances to television, receiving positive reviews for their superb vocals, storytelling, and versatility in portraying diverse roles. As the first of their kind to introduce this traditional art to television, they achieved a significant breakthrough and were recognized by the New Taipei Government as preservers of liam kua in 2016. According to the Ministry of Culture, Chen remained active in stage performances in her later years and served as a consultant for the Taiwan Liam-kua Troupe (台灣唸歌團), teaching yueqin playing and singing across various regions of the country. Her dedication to promoting Taiwan’s traditional performing arts has left a profound and lasting impact on the field.
CKS Memorial Hall launches exhibition on Taiwan’s democratic journey
The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall unveiled its permanent exhibition, “Flowers of Freedom (自由花蕊),” on Nov. 24, showcasing the development of democracy and liberty in Taiwan since 1945. Minister of Culture Li Yuan, Deputy Minister of Culture Sue Wang (王時思), Legislator Ngalim Tiunn (張雅琳), along with social activists and families of political victims, attended the opening ceremony. Minister Li remarked that in the 45 years since the establishment of the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taiwan has undergone significant transformation, and the memorial hall has held different meanings for different people. He noted that although the hall was originally intended to commemorate an individual, it has become a starting point for democratic movements, including the 2013 anti-nuclear demonstration in which he personally participated. Minister Li also expressed hope that the new exhibition will surpass the 350,000 visitors recorded by the previous exhibition, “Taiwan’s Long Walk to Freedom of Speech (自由的靈魂vs.獨裁者：臺灣言論自由之路),” and foster a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s history among the general public. The “Flowers of Freedom” is divided into five sections—“Waves of Change,” “The Era of Imposed Silence,” “The Road to Freedom of Speech in Taiwan,” “Trauma,” and “Brilliant Blossoms.” The exhibition highlights the shared experiences between Taiwan and other democratic countries in their pursuit of freedom. For more exhibition, visit the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall’s official website.

CKS Memorial Hall launches exhibition on Taiwan’s democratic journey

2025-11-26
The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall unveiled its permanent exhibition, “Flowers of Freedom (自由花蕊),” on Nov. 24, showcasing the development of democracy and liberty in Taiwan since 1945. Minister of Culture Li Yuan, Deputy Minister of Culture Sue Wang (王時思), Legislator Ngalim Tiunn (張雅琳), along with social activists and families of political victims, attended the opening ceremony. Minister Li remarked that in the 45 years since the establishment of the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taiwan has undergone significant transformation, and the memorial hall has held different meanings for different people. He noted that although the hall was originally intended to commemorate an individual, it has become a starting point for democratic movements, including the 2013 anti-nuclear demonstration in which he personally participated. Minister Li also expressed hope that the new exhibition will surpass the 350,000 visitors recorded by the previous exhibition, “Taiwan’s Long Walk to Freedom of Speech (自由的靈魂vs.獨裁者：臺灣言論自由之路),” and foster a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s history among the general public. The “Flowers of Freedom” is divided into five sections—“Waves of Change,” “The Era of Imposed Silence,” “The Road to Freedom of Speech in Taiwan,” “Trauma,” and “Brilliant Blossoms.” The exhibition highlights the shared experiences between Taiwan and other democratic countries in their pursuit of freedom. For more exhibition, visit the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall’s official website.
Three Taiwanese films honored at Asian World Film Festival
As the 2026 Academy Awards draw near, the Ministry of Culture (MOC) and Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) have collaborated to present Taiwan’s Oscar contenders—“Left-Handed Girl (左撇子女孩)”, “Side A: A Summer Day (A面：我的一天)”, and “From Island to Island (由島至島)”—at the Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) and the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles. Notably, “Left-Handed Girl” won the AWFF Audience Award and its lead actress Nina Ye (葉子綺) received the Snow Leopard Rising Star Award, as announced on Nov. 20. The AWFF hosted a “Focus on Taiwan” screening event on Nov. 14, with “Side A: A Summer Day” as the opening film, with director Wan Kin-fai (溫景輝) in attendance. The event was also joined by acclaimed U.S. director Sean Baker, producer and co-writer of “Left-Handed Girl.” With “Side A: A Summer Day”, his debut short film, making its North American premiere, Wan described the experience as an “American dream come true!” Meanwhile, director Lau Kek-huat (廖克發) of “From Island to Island” also attended the screening. Despite its five-hour runtime, the documentary held the audience’s full attention and resonated strongly during the post-screening Q&A. The Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles noted that the screenings not only showcased Taiwan’s filmmaking strengths across diverse formats but also fostered deeper support from international partners.

Three Taiwanese films honored at Asian World Film Festival

2025-11-26
As the 2026 Academy Awards draw near, the Ministry of Culture (MOC) and Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) have collaborated to present Taiwan’s Oscar contenders—“Left-Handed Girl (左撇子女孩)”, “Side A: A Summer Day (A面：我的一天)”, and “From Island to Island (由島至島)”—at the Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) and the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles. Notably, “Left-Handed Girl” won the AWFF Audience Award and its lead actress Nina Ye (葉子綺) received the Snow Leopard Rising Star Award, as announced on Nov. 20. The AWFF hosted a “Focus on Taiwan” screening event on Nov. 14, with “Side A: A Summer Day” as the opening film, with director Wan Kin-fai (溫景輝) in attendance. The event was also joined by acclaimed U.S. director Sean Baker, producer and co-writer of “Left-Handed Girl.” With “Side A: A Summer Day”, his debut short film, making its North American premiere, Wan described the experience as an “American dream come true!” Meanwhile, director Lau Kek-huat (廖克發) of “From Island to Island” also attended the screening. Despite its five-hour runtime, the documentary held the audience’s full attention and resonated strongly during the post-screening Q&A. The Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles noted that the screenings not only showcased Taiwan’s filmmaking strengths across diverse formats but also fostered deeper support from international partners.
29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award laureates unveiled
The Ministry of Culture (MOC), in collaboration with the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences under the Institut de France, has announced the recipients of the 29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award. This year’s laureates are Wu Hsi-deh (吳錫德), honorary professor at the Tamkang University, and Victor Louzon, assistant professor at Sorbonne University. An honorary professor in the Department of French at Tamkang University, Wu has dedicated nearly four decades to teaching and academic service. He founded the Taiwan Association of French Teachers (Association des Professeurs de Français de Taïwan) in 1996 and the Taiwanese Association of French Translators (Association Taïwanaise des Traducteurs de Français) in 2014. He also initiated Taiwan’s International Francophonie Day events and French translation awards. In 2016, he received the Ordre des Palmes académiques from the French government for his contributions to French language education and cultural exchange. Louzon, an assistant professor of history at Sorbonne University, focuses his research on the transformation of political power in Taiwan in 1945. In 2023, he published “The Embrace of the Fatherland: Decolonization, War Aftermath, and Political Violence in 1947 Taiwan (L’étreinte de la patrie: décolonisation et violence à Taiwan, 1947),” the first French-language monograph to examine the February 28 incident. He aspires to lead French students to Taiwan for fieldwork, host academic conferences, and launch translation projects centered on Taiwan’s history. The committee for the 29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award was chaired by Culture Minister Li Yuan and Bernard Stirn, Perpetual Secretary of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences. The Taiwan-France Cultural Award, established in 1996 and held annually since, recognizes institutions and individuals who have made remarkable contributions to promoting Taiwanese culture in France, Europe, and ­

29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award laureates unveiled

2025-11-20
The Ministry of Culture (MOC), in collaboration with the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences under the Institut de France, has announced the recipients of the 29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award. This year’s laureates are Wu Hsi-deh (吳錫德), honorary professor at the Tamkang University, and Victor Louzon, assistant professor at Sorbonne University. An honorary professor in the Department of French at Tamkang University, Wu has dedicated nearly four decades to teaching and academic service. He founded the Taiwan Association of French Teachers (Association des Professeurs de Français de Taïwan) in 1996 and the Taiwanese Association of French Translators (Association Taïwanaise des Traducteurs de Français) in 2014. He also initiated Taiwan’s International Francophonie Day events and French translation awards. In 2016, he received the Ordre des Palmes académiques from the French government for his contributions to French language education and cultural exchange. Louzon, an assistant professor of history at Sorbonne University, focuses his research on the transformation of political power in Taiwan in 1945. In 2023, he published “The Embrace of the Fatherland: Decolonization, War Aftermath, and Political Violence in 1947 Taiwan (L’étreinte de la patrie: décolonisation et violence à Taiwan, 1947),” the first French-language monograph to examine the February 28 incident. He aspires to lead French students to Taiwan for fieldwork, host academic conferences, and launch translation projects centered on Taiwan’s history. The committee for the 29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award was chaired by Culture Minister Li Yuan and Bernard Stirn, Perpetual Secretary of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences. The Taiwan-France Cultural Award, established in 1996 and held annually since, recognizes institutions and individuals who have made remarkable contributions to promoting Taiwanese culture in France, Europe, and ­
NTCRI launches Indigenous weaving art exhibition
Through weaving techniques and woven patterns, “Genius Weavers” sheds light on the living wisdom, aesthetics, ethnic group identification, as well as cultural inheritance embedded in Taiwan’s diverse Indigenous cultures. The exhibition unfolds in four sections—Materials, Tools, Textiles, and Basketry—followed by Interpretation, which explores new expressions inspired by Indigenous weaving. Many weavers still harvest or cultivate their own fibers and fashion their own tools, completing their work with focused unity of hand and heart. These practices reveal the deep ties between craft, nature, society, and spirituality. They also reflect the NTCRI’s SLOHAS philosophy: Living with Craft, Living with Ease, which brings together slow living and LOHAS through six values: Simplicity, Lifestyle, Originality, Health, Aesthetics, and Sustainability. Together they form a cycle of “virtuous art,” sparking creativity rooted in tradition yet open to renewal. The exhibition is on view through Mar. 22, 2026. For more information, visit NTCRI official website. ­

NTCRI launches Indigenous weaving art exhibition

2025-11-20
Through weaving techniques and woven patterns, “Genius Weavers” sheds light on the living wisdom, aesthetics, ethnic group identification, as well as cultural inheritance embedded in Taiwan’s diverse Indigenous cultures. The exhibition unfolds in four sections—Materials, Tools, Textiles, and Basketry—followed by Interpretation, which explores new expressions inspired by Indigenous weaving. Many weavers still harvest or cultivate their own fibers and fashion their own tools, completing their work with focused unity of hand and heart. These practices reveal the deep ties between craft, nature, society, and spirituality. They also reflect the NTCRI’s SLOHAS philosophy: Living with Craft, Living with Ease, which brings together slow living and LOHAS through six values: Simplicity, Lifestyle, Originality, Health, Aesthetics, and Sustainability. Together they form a cycle of “virtuous art,” sparking creativity rooted in tradition yet open to renewal. The exhibition is on view through Mar. 22, 2026. For more information, visit NTCRI official website. ­