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44th National Cultural Award honors three cultural luminaries
The Ministry of Culture held the 44th National Cultural Award presentation on July 10 at Taipei Zhongshan Hall, honoring Wu Sheng (吳晟), Fu Ming-kuang (傅明光), and Yang Li-hua (楊麗花) for their outstanding contributions to literature, cultural heritage preservation, and traditional arts, respectively. At the ceremony, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) emphasized that the three laureates are national cultural treasures. He praised Wu for capturing the essence of Taiwan’s rural culture and farmers’ lives through poetry, commended Fu for his lifelong dedication to preserving historic architecture, and highlighted Yang’s global influence through her performances in Taiwanese opera. Minister of Culture Li Yuan noted that the three awardees, each of whom has played a vital role in shaping Taiwan’s cultural landscape at various stages of his life. He expressed his honor in presenting the award, recognizing Wu’s contributions to society, ecology, and the human rights movement; Fu’s commitment to the restoration of historical buildings; and Yang’s pioneering efforts in advancing the production of Taiwanese opera on television. Established in 1981, the National Cultural Award is Taiwan’s highest cultural accolade, recognizing individuals who have dedicated their lives to the preservation and promotion of Taiwanese culture. Each laureate receives a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of NT$1 million. ­

44th National Cultural Award honors three cultural luminaries

2025-07-15
The Ministry of Culture held the 44th National Cultural Award presentation on July 10 at Taipei Zhongshan Hall, honoring Wu Sheng (吳晟), Fu Ming-kuang (傅明光), and Yang Li-hua (楊麗花) for their outstanding contributions to literature, cultural heritage preservation, and traditional arts, respectively. At the ceremony, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) emphasized that the three laureates are national cultural treasures. He praised Wu for capturing the essence of Taiwan’s rural culture and farmers’ lives through poetry, commended Fu for his lifelong dedication to preserving historic architecture, and highlighted Yang’s global influence through her performances in Taiwanese opera. Minister of Culture Li Yuan noted that the three awardees, each of whom has played a vital role in shaping Taiwan’s cultural landscape at various stages of his life. He expressed his honor in presenting the award, recognizing Wu’s contributions to society, ecology, and the human rights movement; Fu’s commitment to the restoration of historical buildings; and Yang’s pioneering efforts in advancing the production of Taiwanese opera on television. Established in 1981, the National Cultural Award is Taiwan’s highest cultural accolade, recognizing individuals who have dedicated their lives to the preservation and promotion of Taiwanese culture. Each laureate receives a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of NT$1 million. ­
FOCA to bring On_Body Arts Festival to Hualien
With support from the Ministry of Culture (MOC), Formosa Circus Art (FOCA) will host the inaugural On_Body Arts Festival (身體藝術節) at the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park from July 19 to 27. The festival brings together the realms of art, design, sports, music, and lifestyle. With the theme titled “My Body Is a Mountain,” the festival features 11 exhibition zones and five types of events, inviting the public to take part in a diverse array of activities including circus performances, parties, yoga, parkour, and art markets. Minister of Culture Li Yuan captured the essence of this festival by quoting renowned Italian film director Federico Fellini: “Nothing is more honest than a dream.” This statement highlights the dreamlike joy that circus arts bring. He encouraged the public to visit Hualien and experience the beauty of its mountains, ocean, and cultural richness. Lin Chih-wei (林智偉), director of FOCA, shared that the festival was inspired by the striking mountains of Hualien—a lasting impression from his very first visit to the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park. He hopes that the festival, as FOCA’s debut event in Hualien, will offer a unique and memorable experience for local audiences. For more information, visit the official website of the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park.

FOCA to bring On_Body Arts Festival to Hualien

2025-07-15
With support from the Ministry of Culture (MOC), Formosa Circus Art (FOCA) will host the inaugural On_Body Arts Festival (身體藝術節) at the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park from July 19 to 27. The festival brings together the realms of art, design, sports, music, and lifestyle. With the theme titled “My Body Is a Mountain,” the festival features 11 exhibition zones and five types of events, inviting the public to take part in a diverse array of activities including circus performances, parties, yoga, parkour, and art markets. Minister of Culture Li Yuan captured the essence of this festival by quoting renowned Italian film director Federico Fellini: “Nothing is more honest than a dream.” This statement highlights the dreamlike joy that circus arts bring. He encouraged the public to visit Hualien and experience the beauty of its mountains, ocean, and cultural richness. Lin Chih-wei (林智偉), director of FOCA, shared that the festival was inspired by the striking mountains of Hualien—a lasting impression from his very first visit to the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park. He hopes that the festival, as FOCA’s debut event in Hualien, will offer a unique and memorable experience for local audiences. For more information, visit the official website of the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park.
MOC mourns the passing of author and media personality Peng Ko
Author and media personality Peng Ko (彭歌), whose birth name is Yao Peng (姚朋), passed away on June 30 at the age of 100. Upon hearing this news, Minister of Culture Li Yuan mourns deeply, commending Peng’s writing for capturing historic moments and reflecting societal concerns with a journalistic sensibility. Born in 1926 in Tianjin, China, Peng relocated to Taiwan in 1949 and later earned a Master’s degree in Journalism from National Chengchi University (國立政治大學). He subsequently completed Master’s degree programs in both Journalism and Library Science at Southern Illinois University in the United States. Dedicated to journalism and literature, Peng held multiple prominent roles throughout his career. Notably, he served as vice director and chief editor of Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News (臺灣新生報), director and chief writer of Central Daily News (中央日報), and president of the Hong Kong Times (香港時報), as well as the head of the Taipei Chinese Center (中華民國筆會). Peng’s body of work spans novels, literary criticism, and translation, often depicting the fate of individuals and society during times of upheaval. A strong advocate of humanitarian values, he was honored with several prestigious accolades, including the National Award for Arts, the Sun Yat-sen Literary and Art Award, and the Ministry of Education Arts Award. In addition to his writing, Peng actively promoted journalism and library science, contributing to the academic journal “Journalism Research (新聞學研究)” and authoring the book “The Reservoir of Knowledge (知識的水庫).” He also translated influential works such as Norman Vincent Peale’s “The Power of Positive Thinking” and Richard Bach’s “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” His translations received wide acclaim and enriched the literary landscape for Taiwanese readers. ­

MOC mourns the passing of author and media personality Peng Ko

2025-07-07
Author and media personality Peng Ko (彭歌), whose birth name is Yao Peng (姚朋), passed away on June 30 at the age of 100. Upon hearing this news, Minister of Culture Li Yuan mourns deeply, commending Peng’s writing for capturing historic moments and reflecting societal concerns with a journalistic sensibility. Born in 1926 in Tianjin, China, Peng relocated to Taiwan in 1949 and later earned a Master’s degree in Journalism from National Chengchi University (國立政治大學). He subsequently completed Master’s degree programs in both Journalism and Library Science at Southern Illinois University in the United States. Dedicated to journalism and literature, Peng held multiple prominent roles throughout his career. Notably, he served as vice director and chief editor of Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News (臺灣新生報), director and chief writer of Central Daily News (中央日報), and president of the Hong Kong Times (香港時報), as well as the head of the Taipei Chinese Center (中華民國筆會). Peng’s body of work spans novels, literary criticism, and translation, often depicting the fate of individuals and society during times of upheaval. A strong advocate of humanitarian values, he was honored with several prestigious accolades, including the National Award for Arts, the Sun Yat-sen Literary and Art Award, and the Ministry of Education Arts Award. In addition to his writing, Peng actively promoted journalism and library science, contributing to the academic journal “Journalism Research (新聞學研究)” and authoring the book “The Reservoir of Knowledge (知識的水庫).” He also translated influential works such as Norman Vincent Peale’s “The Power of Positive Thinking” and Richard Bach’s “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” His translations received wide acclaim and enriched the literary landscape for Taiwanese readers. ­
MOC announces 36th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music nominees
The 36th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music is scheduled to take place at the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center in Taipei on Aug. 23. On July 2, the National Center for Traditional Arts held a press conference to announce this year’s nominees. A total of 88 performing groups and 42 works were nominated across two main categories: music and theater. “Wen-sinn Yang and Christian Schmitt: Variations of Colors (舒密特與楊文信：萬彩雙琴)” leads the music category with six nominations. In the theater category, “Tavern by the Lethe: A Lost Actress (孟婆客棧：冥星雙飛俠)” and “Who’s in the Painting? (青姬)” each received five nominations, the highest in that category. Deputy Minister of Culture Lee Ching-hwi (李靜慧) noted that according to 2024 data from OPENTIX, Taiwan’s leading platform for purchasing tickets to arts and cultural events, while overall ticket sales for the performing arts have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, traditional theater has shown robust growth in the number of productions and performances, with ticket sales even surpassing those of musicals. This year’s Special Award honors Chen Mao-shuen (陳茂萱) and Linwu Su-hsia (林吳素霞). Chen (1936-2023), a prominent figure in music education and production for over six decades, exemplified a musician’s dedication to cultural transmission and innovation. Linwu, a multifaceted nanguan (南管) musician, has spent nearly 60 years performing and teaching, and in recent years has actively contributed to the analysis and preservation of traditional music archives.

MOC announces 36th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music nominees

2025-07-06
The 36th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music is scheduled to take place at the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center in Taipei on Aug. 23. On July 2, the National Center for Traditional Arts held a press conference to announce this year’s nominees. A total of 88 performing groups and 42 works were nominated across two main categories: music and theater. “Wen-sinn Yang and Christian Schmitt: Variations of Colors (舒密特與楊文信：萬彩雙琴)” leads the music category with six nominations. In the theater category, “Tavern by the Lethe: A Lost Actress (孟婆客棧：冥星雙飛俠)” and “Who’s in the Painting? (青姬)” each received five nominations, the highest in that category. Deputy Minister of Culture Lee Ching-hwi (李靜慧) noted that according to 2024 data from OPENTIX, Taiwan’s leading platform for purchasing tickets to arts and cultural events, while overall ticket sales for the performing arts have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, traditional theater has shown robust growth in the number of productions and performances, with ticket sales even surpassing those of musicals. This year’s Special Award honors Chen Mao-shuen (陳茂萱) and Linwu Su-hsia (林吳素霞). Chen (1936-2023), a prominent figure in music education and production for over six decades, exemplified a musician’s dedication to cultural transmission and innovation. Linwu, a multifaceted nanguan (南管) musician, has spent nearly 60 years performing and teaching, and in recent years has actively contributed to the analysis and preservation of traditional music archives.
National Railway Museum to open its first phase on July 31
The Taipei Railway Workshop, designated as a national monument in 2015, was announced as the future site of the National Railway Museum (NRM) in 2016. After nine years of restoration, the museum is set to open its first phase on July 31. Originally completed in 1935, the Taipei Railway Workshop stands as Taiwan’s oldest and largest rail-vehicle repair facility. In terms of architecture, technology, labor culture, and the development of transportation in Taiwan, it has substantial, industrial, and historical value. At the exhibit preview, Minister of Culture Li Yuan remarked that the initiative not only safeguards the important history of Taiwan’s railway system but also preserves its cultural heritage. According to the Ministry of Culture (MOC), the first phase of the NRM highlights six architectural sites: the diesel-electric workshop, head office, technician training center, material testing center, auditorium, and bathhouse. It also includes three permanent exhibitions, two in-situ displays, and a dedicated space for children’s activities. One of the permanent exhibitions, titled “Taiwan Railway History in Culture (文化中的臺灣鐵道史),” showcases a collection of manuscripts and reading videos contributed by various authors, including a handwritten draft donated by Minister Li himself. He expressed hope that the museum will serve as a vibrant hub that presents diverse programs to engage visitors from all walks of life. In addition, a 335-meter-long passageway connecting to the NRM will also open to the public, designed to enhance local accessibility and bridge the gap between the community and the historic site. For more information, visit NRM official website or Facebook page.

National Railway Museum to open its first phase on July 31

2025-07-02
The Taipei Railway Workshop, designated as a national monument in 2015, was announced as the future site of the National Railway Museum (NRM) in 2016. After nine years of restoration, the museum is set to open its first phase on July 31. Originally completed in 1935, the Taipei Railway Workshop stands as Taiwan’s oldest and largest rail-vehicle repair facility. In terms of architecture, technology, labor culture, and the development of transportation in Taiwan, it has substantial, industrial, and historical value. At the exhibit preview, Minister of Culture Li Yuan remarked that the initiative not only safeguards the important history of Taiwan’s railway system but also preserves its cultural heritage. According to the Ministry of Culture (MOC), the first phase of the NRM highlights six architectural sites: the diesel-electric workshop, head office, technician training center, material testing center, auditorium, and bathhouse. It also includes three permanent exhibitions, two in-situ displays, and a dedicated space for children’s activities. One of the permanent exhibitions, titled “Taiwan Railway History in Culture (文化中的臺灣鐵道史),” showcases a collection of manuscripts and reading videos contributed by various authors, including a handwritten draft donated by Minister Li himself. He expressed hope that the museum will serve as a vibrant hub that presents diverse programs to engage visitors from all walks of life. In addition, a 335-meter-long passageway connecting to the NRM will also open to the public, designed to enhance local accessibility and bridge the gap between the community and the historic site. For more information, visit NRM official website or Facebook page.