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Winners of the 2025 Taiwan Literature Awards for Books announced
The 2025 Taiwan Literature Awards (TLA) for Books winners were unveiled on Oct. 31. This year, the award received 225 submissions, from which 30 works were shortlisted as finalists. Ultimately, “Lightning in July (七月爍爁)” by Lin Chun-ying (林俊頴) won the Annual Golden Grand Laurel Award, while seven works received Golden Book Award, and two were honored for the New Bud Award. The jury noted that this year’s nonfiction category was particularly impressive, featuring middle-generation writers who demonstrated maturity while continuing to challenge themselves through experimentation with narrative forms and materials. Set in Beidou Township (北斗鎮) in Changhua County—the author’s hometown—“Lightning in July” explores the complexities of identity and belonging. It has been praised for introducing a new approach to writing native literature set against the backdrop of Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan, blending both Mandarin and Taigi. The seven winners of the Golden Book Award are “Alpha Scorpii in Summer: Tadao Kano’s Experience Growing Up in Taiwan (流火：鹿野忠雄的臺灣養成)” by Liu Ka-shiang (劉克襄); “Travelling on the Treetops: The Stories From Seven Trees and Field Notes by a Canopy Ecologist in the Past Two Decades (旅行在樹梢：七棵樹的故事，與一個生態學家的二十年樹冠層研究筆記)” by Lan Yung-hsiang (藍永翔); “Gun, Power, Grab, Snap (槍強搶嗆)” by Lien Ming-wei (連明偉); “The Potemkin Village (假城鎮)” by Ma I-hang (馬翊航); “Sleep Early, Don’t Fear Your Fourth Uncle (早點睡。不要怕妳四叔)” by Amang (阿芒); “Anti-Gravity (反重力)” by Huang Chong-kai (黃崇凱); and “A Perfect Day for Heading to Oven (進烤箱的好日子)” by Li Chia-ying (李佳穎). The New Bud Award, which recognizes emerging writers, went to Lan Yung-hsiang and Fan Jung-ying (范容瑛). For more information, visit the TLA official website or Facebook page. ­

Winners of the 2025 Taiwan Literature Awards for Books announced

2025-11-05
The 2025 Taiwan Literature Awards (TLA) for Books winners were unveiled on Oct. 31. This year, the award received 225 submissions, from which 30 works were shortlisted as finalists. Ultimately, “Lightning in July (七月爍爁)” by Lin Chun-ying (林俊頴) won the Annual Golden Grand Laurel Award, while seven works received Golden Book Award, and two were honored for the New Bud Award. The jury noted that this year’s nonfiction category was particularly impressive, featuring middle-generation writers who demonstrated maturity while continuing to challenge themselves through experimentation with narrative forms and materials. Set in Beidou Township (北斗鎮) in Changhua County—the author’s hometown—“Lightning in July” explores the complexities of identity and belonging. It has been praised for introducing a new approach to writing native literature set against the backdrop of Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan, blending both Mandarin and Taigi. The seven winners of the Golden Book Award are “Alpha Scorpii in Summer: Tadao Kano’s Experience Growing Up in Taiwan (流火：鹿野忠雄的臺灣養成)” by Liu Ka-shiang (劉克襄); “Travelling on the Treetops: The Stories From Seven Trees and Field Notes by a Canopy Ecologist in the Past Two Decades (旅行在樹梢：七棵樹的故事，與一個生態學家的二十年樹冠層研究筆記)” by Lan Yung-hsiang (藍永翔); “Gun, Power, Grab, Snap (槍強搶嗆)” by Lien Ming-wei (連明偉); “The Potemkin Village (假城鎮)” by Ma I-hang (馬翊航); “Sleep Early, Don’t Fear Your Fourth Uncle (早點睡。不要怕妳四叔)” by Amang (阿芒); “Anti-Gravity (反重力)” by Huang Chong-kai (黃崇凱); and “A Perfect Day for Heading to Oven (進烤箱的好日子)” by Li Chia-ying (李佳穎). The New Bud Award, which recognizes emerging writers, went to Lan Yung-hsiang and Fan Jung-ying (范容瑛). For more information, visit the TLA official website or Facebook page. ­
NTMoFA hosts International Conference on Cultural Accessibility and Social Inclusion
The 2025 International Conference on Cultural Accessibility and Social Inclusion (CASI 2025) was held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA) in Taichung City. The conference facilitated exchanges between local and international institutions on their visions and experiences in advancing cultural equality and showcased Taiwan’s achievements in enhancing accessibility and inclusion over the past five years. Organized by NTMoFA, an advocator of accessible museum designs, the conference brought together over 200 experts and scholars from domestic and international institutions. The two-day event featured keynote speeches, seminars, roundtable discussions, and workshops. NTMoFA Director Chen Kuang-yi (陳貺怡) remarked that cultural accessibility and social inclusion are issues that require continued public attention and must evolve with the times. She encouraged participants to keep exploring new possibilities for improving cultural venues and creating a more inclusive environment across the country. Notably, representatives of the Rijksmuseum (Netherlands), Peggy Guggenheim Collection (Italy), and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (U.S.) shared their experiences in social inclusion initiatives for the first time at the conference. The Ministry of Culture reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cultural equality and expanding accessibility services across its affiliated institutions. As a leading example, NTMoFA continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the ideals of cultural accessibility and inclusion. ­

NTMoFA hosts International Conference on Cultural Accessibility and Social Inclusion

2025-11-05
The 2025 International Conference on Cultural Accessibility and Social Inclusion (CASI 2025) was held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA) in Taichung City. The conference facilitated exchanges between local and international institutions on their visions and experiences in advancing cultural equality and showcased Taiwan’s achievements in enhancing accessibility and inclusion over the past five years. Organized by NTMoFA, an advocator of accessible museum designs, the conference brought together over 200 experts and scholars from domestic and international institutions. The two-day event featured keynote speeches, seminars, roundtable discussions, and workshops. NTMoFA Director Chen Kuang-yi (陳貺怡) remarked that cultural accessibility and social inclusion are issues that require continued public attention and must evolve with the times. She encouraged participants to keep exploring new possibilities for improving cultural venues and creating a more inclusive environment across the country. Notably, representatives of the Rijksmuseum (Netherlands), Peggy Guggenheim Collection (Italy), and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (U.S.) shared their experiences in social inclusion initiatives for the first time at the conference. The Ministry of Culture reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cultural equality and expanding accessibility services across its affiliated institutions. As a leading example, NTMoFA continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the ideals of cultural accessibility and inclusion. ­
Taiwanese artist Chu Teh-i (曲德義) passed away on Oct. 27 at the age of 73. Upon hearing the news, Minister of Culture Li Yuan expressed his deepest condolences and commended Chu for his lifelong dedication to promoting contemporary art as well as his remarkable achievements in artistic creation and education. Born in 1952 in South Korea, Chu studied fine arts at National Taiwan Normal University, where he graduated in 1976. During his studies, he explored modern painting under the guidance of Li Chun-shan (李仲生), a pioneering figure in Taiwanese modern art. Later, he traveled to France to further his education, earning a Master’s degree in Art Design from the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs and a Master’s degree in Sculpture from the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Devoted to art education throughout his life, Chu served as a faculty member at the School of Fine Arts, Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA). He also chaired the Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts preparatory committee and became the museum’s first director upon its opening. Renowned for his abstract paintings, Chu conveyed personal sentiments through a meticulous use of color and a bold exploration of spatial concepts. His works are part of the permanent collections of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, and Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts. ­

MOC laments the passing of artist Chu Teh-i

2025-10-30
Taiwanese artist Chu Teh-i (曲德義) passed away on Oct. 27 at the age of 73. Upon hearing the news, Minister of Culture Li Yuan expressed his deepest condolences and commended Chu for his lifelong dedication to promoting contemporary art as well as his remarkable achievements in artistic creation and education. Born in 1952 in South Korea, Chu studied fine arts at National Taiwan Normal University, where he graduated in 1976. During his studies, he explored modern painting under the guidance of Li Chun-shan (李仲生), a pioneering figure in Taiwanese modern art. Later, he traveled to France to further his education, earning a Master’s degree in Art Design from the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs and a Master’s degree in Sculpture from the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Devoted to art education throughout his life, Chu served as a faculty member at the School of Fine Arts, Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA). He also chaired the Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts preparatory committee and became the museum’s first director upon its opening. Renowned for his abstract paintings, Chu conveyed personal sentiments through a meticulous use of color and a bold exploration of spatial concepts. His works are part of the permanent collections of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, and Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts. ­
Taiwanese literary collection published in Czech Republic
­With support from the Ministry of Culture (MOC), “Island at the Crossroads: Literary Map of Taiwan (Ostrov na rozcestí. Literární mapa Tchaj-wanu),” edited by Táňa Dluhošová, director of the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, was presented on Oct. 27 at the Inspiration Forum of the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival. The book features 30 literary works by Taiwanese authors who participated in the 2024 Authors’ Reading Month in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, showcasing the richness of Taiwanese literature and its potential to foster cultural dialogue with Eastern European audiences. The title “Island at the Crossroads” symbolizes the many intersections that define contemporary Taiwanese society—between memory and imagination, the local and the global, tradition and innovation. Dluhošová emphasized that the collection serves as a “cultural map” co-created by 30 Taiwanese writers, inviting Czech readers to explore the multifaceted identity of the island through literature. She further noted that the book includes works by Indigenous and new immigrant writers, reflecting the diversity and inclusiveness of Taiwan’s culture. “Taiwanese literature weaves together Taigi, Hakka, Austronesian, and Southeast Asian languages,” she said. Additionally, Germany-based writer Kevin Chen (陳思宏) attended the book presentation and shared his reflections on the role of Taiwanese literature in a free society. He described Taiwan as “an island of freedom,” where people enjoy the liberty to express themselves without restraint. The MOC stated that “Island at the Crossroads: Literary Map of Taiwan” is the first anthology of contemporary Taiwanese literature published in Czechia, offering Czech readers a new window into Taiwan’s culture, history, and society, as cultural exchanges between the two nations continue to deepen.

Taiwanese literary collection published in Czech Republic

2025-10-30
­With support from the Ministry of Culture (MOC), “Island at the Crossroads: Literary Map of Taiwan (Ostrov na rozcestí. Literární mapa Tchaj-wanu),” edited by Táňa Dluhošová, director of the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, was presented on Oct. 27 at the Inspiration Forum of the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival. The book features 30 literary works by Taiwanese authors who participated in the 2024 Authors’ Reading Month in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, showcasing the richness of Taiwanese literature and its potential to foster cultural dialogue with Eastern European audiences. The title “Island at the Crossroads” symbolizes the many intersections that define contemporary Taiwanese society—between memory and imagination, the local and the global, tradition and innovation. Dluhošová emphasized that the collection serves as a “cultural map” co-created by 30 Taiwanese writers, inviting Czech readers to explore the multifaceted identity of the island through literature. She further noted that the book includes works by Indigenous and new immigrant writers, reflecting the diversity and inclusiveness of Taiwan’s culture. “Taiwanese literature weaves together Taigi, Hakka, Austronesian, and Southeast Asian languages,” she said. Additionally, Germany-based writer Kevin Chen (陳思宏) attended the book presentation and shared his reflections on the role of Taiwanese literature in a free society. He described Taiwan as “an island of freedom,” where people enjoy the liberty to express themselves without restraint. The MOC stated that “Island at the Crossroads: Literary Map of Taiwan” is the first anthology of contemporary Taiwanese literature published in Czechia, offering Czech readers a new window into Taiwan’s culture, history, and society, as cultural exchanges between the two nations continue to deepen.
Taiwanese films honored at Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
The Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (YIDFF) awards presentation was held in Japan on Oct. 15, where Taiwanese works stood out with remarkable achievements. “Park (公園)” by So Yo-hen (蘇育賢) received the Award of Excellence in the International Competition, while “The Tales of the Tale (侯硐奇譚)” by Song Cheng-ying (宋承穎) and Hu Chin-ya (胡清雅) won the Award of Excellence in the New Asian Currents section. This year’s YIDFF received 1,318 submissions from 129 countries and regions for the International Competition, with 15 works selected as finalists. The New Asian Currents section attracted 1,358 entries from 75 countries, from which 20 films were chosen for screening. Minister of Culture Li Yuan noted that these documentaries reflect the many facets of Taiwanese society and amplify the voices of its people, while also showcasing the diverse perspectives and cultural depth of Taiwan’s creators. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuing its support for bringing stories from Taiwan to audiences around the world. Taiwan’s Representative to Japan, Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋), remarked that the outstanding performance of Taiwanese documentaries at the festival demonstrates the maturity of Taiwan’s filmmakers and has drawn greater attention from the international community. The Taiwan Cultural Center in Japan stated that by examining Taiwan’s society through its urban public spaces and mining communities, the award-winning works resonate with international audiences through their moving imagery. The center expressed its intention to continue engaging and collaborating with the YIDFF to further promote Taiwanese documentaries. ­

Taiwanese films honored at Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival

2025-10-20
The Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (YIDFF) awards presentation was held in Japan on Oct. 15, where Taiwanese works stood out with remarkable achievements. “Park (公園)” by So Yo-hen (蘇育賢) received the Award of Excellence in the International Competition, while “The Tales of the Tale (侯硐奇譚)” by Song Cheng-ying (宋承穎) and Hu Chin-ya (胡清雅) won the Award of Excellence in the New Asian Currents section. This year’s YIDFF received 1,318 submissions from 129 countries and regions for the International Competition, with 15 works selected as finalists. The New Asian Currents section attracted 1,358 entries from 75 countries, from which 20 films were chosen for screening. Minister of Culture Li Yuan noted that these documentaries reflect the many facets of Taiwanese society and amplify the voices of its people, while also showcasing the diverse perspectives and cultural depth of Taiwan’s creators. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuing its support for bringing stories from Taiwan to audiences around the world. Taiwan’s Representative to Japan, Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋), remarked that the outstanding performance of Taiwanese documentaries at the festival demonstrates the maturity of Taiwan’s filmmakers and has drawn greater attention from the international community. The Taiwan Cultural Center in Japan stated that by examining Taiwan’s society through its urban public spaces and mining communities, the award-winning works resonate with international audiences through their moving imagery. The center expressed its intention to continue engaging and collaborating with the YIDFF to further promote Taiwanese documentaries. ­