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.