Foreign Minister Lin Jialong went to Huashan 1914 Cultural and Creative Industry Park yesterday (16th) afternoon to visit the 50th anniversary photo exhibition of "Taiwan Guanghua Magazine" "Seeing Taiwan." He said that looking back at Taiwan's changes over the past half century through images, it felt like he was going through many stages of life again. Since its inception in 1976, "Taiwan Guanghua Magazine" has witnessed Taiwan's economic takeoff, democratization and the development of civil society. It has also recorded urban and rural landscapes, people's lives and multiculturalism.
Lin Jialong posted a message on social media, thanking all partners over the years for leaving precious collective memories of Taiwan through lenses and words, and invited the public to take advantage of the last two days of the exhibition to visit the exhibition.
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Lin Jialong said that his relationship with "Taiwan Guanghua Magazine" has lasted for more than 20 years. When he was the Information Director of the Executive Yuan, he worked with "Guanghua Magazine" to let the world know Taiwan through images and words. Although the positions are different now, "but the original intention of wanting Taiwan to be seen, understood and recognized by the world has never changed." He also pointed out that looking back on the course of public service from the Information Director of the Executive Yuan, the Mayor of Taichung, the Minister of Transportation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, we can find intersecting trajectories in the 50-year record of "Guanghua". From documenting Taiwan, building Taiwan, studying Taiwan, to introducing Taiwan to the world, my roles are constantly changing, but my love for this land remains the same.
Lin Jialong shared that an old photo of the area around Taipei's Chunghwa Mall in the exhibition brought back many childhood memories for him. At that time, there were many illegal buildings on Zhonghua Road, Guangzhou Street, and around Taipei Railway Station. Special snacks from all provinces in mainland China gathered in the alleys. When Taipei went through underground railways and the demolition of Chunghwa Mall, he happened to be studying abroad. After returning to Taiwan, the familiar street scenes no longer existed, but those life memories were still vivid. He said emotionally: "The appearance of the city will change with the times, but the soul will remain in people's common memory. This is also the most precious value of "Guanghua" in its 50 years."
In addition, Lin Jialong was also deeply impressed by the magnificent scenery of the main peak of Yushan Mountain on display, and shared his experience of climbing to the top of Yushan Mountain four times and visiting the North Peak Weather Station of Yushan Mountain when he was the Minister of Transportation. He recalled that at the Beifeng Weather Station, he looked at the main peak of Yushan Mountain through the "Million Window View". The amazing scenery was called "coffee waiting for one person". He pointed out that Taiwan is full of precious natural assets, from mountains and rivers to forests and oceans. These images also reminded him of the late director Zeppelin and his past experience of working with him on "Flying Over Dajia Stream" and re-understanding the land beneath his feet through aerial photography.
Lin Jialong also shared an interesting story while visiting the exhibition. A citizen who was just passing by saw the words "Guanghua Magazine" and remembered that this was an old publication he had seen since he was young, so he walked into the exhibition hall. Unexpectedly, he met Lin Jialong who had just returned to Taiwan from Poland. Lin Jialong also responded humorously: "Very good, you are reading my Facebook and you know that I am back from abroad!" The audience burst into laughter.
"Taiwan Guanghua Magazine has accompanied Taiwan step by step towards freedom, democracy, pluralism and openness through images and words over the past 50 years, and has also left common life memories for different generations." Finally, Lin Jialong once again thanked all the partners who have invested in Guanghua Magazine over the years, allowing these precious images to reflect Taiwan, the years we have walked together, and the future we are heading for together. He also welcomes Chinese people to visit the exhibition over the weekend.
