[Reporter Dong Baiting/Taipei Report] The Ministry of Culture held the 7th "National Cultural Assets Preservation Award" award ceremony today (30th) at Taipei Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. Executive President Zhuo Rongtai personally awarded the award, and Minister of Culture Li Yuan attended. For the first time, a total bonus of NT$6 million was set for this year, and it was adjusted to 5 major awards. A total of 14 cases were awarded.
Zhuo Rongtai said in his speech that the continuation of cultural skills is the deep root of a country. Cultural asset workers "preserve the roots of the country", allowing this generation to connect with previous generations, and leaving the memory of contemporary life to the next generation. He pointed out that this year’s award-winning objects range from official residences, private houses, churches to palaces and temples, reflecting the diverse aspects of Taiwan’s culture. Preservation also requires that ancient buildings be restored and reconnected with modern life.
Zhuo Rongtai pointed out that a total of 17.8 billion yuan was invested in the first four phases of the "Historic and Cultural Assets Maintenance and Development Plan", and 15.9 billion yuan was allocated in the fifth phase; 9.1 billion yuan was invested in the "Historical Site Reconstruction Plan" from 2017 to 2025, and another 5 billion yuan will be allocated from 2026 to 2030. He also said that the culture-related budgets of the Ministry of Culture this year are in charge of business, general subsidies, funds and communication, totaling 65.9 billion yuan.
Li Yuan, the Minister of Culture, reviewed the changes in the concept of cultural heritage preservation in Taiwan based on his own experience. He mentioned the preservation of Lin Antai’s ancient residence in the early years, and Qiu Ruhua’s "I love Dihua Street" and other actions after the lifting of martial law. He said that he also took his children to visit the western-style buildings on Dihua Street. "When we find that we live in a place with a lot of history, how happy we are, and our hearts will be more stable."
Li Yuan said that in addition to the 6 million yuan bonus for the first time this year, the awards have also been readjusted into five categories to include the recognition of restoration craftsmen who were rarely seen in the past. He said that from the development of cultural asset preservation to the present, the tangible and intangible assets left by many predecessors "are so priceless." Therefore, he hopes that through the award, workers in different aspects such as restoration, preservation, operation, activation, and skill inheritance can be seen. According to historical data from the Ministry of Culture, the National Cultural Assets Preservation Award has been implemented since 2009 and is held every three years in principle.
The Ministry of Culture stated that this year's awards have been reorganized into five categories: "Preservation and Restoration Category", "Management and Maintenance Category", "Preservation Contribution Category", "Preservation and Inheritance Category" and "Excellent Traditional Craftsman Category", covering different aspects such as building restoration, daily maintenance, cultural promotion and intangible skill inheritance.
A total of 4 projects won awards in the "Preservation and Restoration Category", including the Daxi Orchid Room, a historical building in Taoyuan, the Siyi Church on Lu Siyi Church, a designated historic site in Taipei, the Taipei Memorial Building Tai Jinnong's Former Residence, and the former Japanese Infantry Second Regiment official residence complex in Tainan City, a designated historic site. Each case not only deals with the restoration of the building itself, but also incorporates the historical context, materials and construction methods, and subsequent revitalization into the preservation work.
The "Management and Maintenance Category" was won by Xu Yunxuan, a Western-style building in Kinmen Houpu, Taoyuan Jingfu Palace and Li Linqiu's former residence in Taipei. It focuses on the long-term care of cultural assets after completion of restoration, including environmental preparation, building maintenance and connection with local communities, so that historical spaces can continue to be used.
Individuals and civil society groups are also the focus of this session. The winner of the "Preservation Contribution Category", Qiu Ruhua, has been devoted to urban preservation and cultural governance for a long time; He Guozhao is committed to the preservation and promotion of the Songjiang system martial arts formations and bringing traditional formations into campus; Jiang Axin Education Foundation starts from the history of the Hakka tea industry and promotes the preservation of Western-style buildings and local culture.
The "Preservation and Inheritance Category" was awarded to Peng Xiujing, who has been devoted to rescuing Luan Dan opera and cultivating talents for many years, and Xiao Zaigan, a traditional lantern craftsman. Xiao Zaigan passed away on July 20 this year. This time, his eldest son Xiao Weixin accepted the award on his behalf.
This year, there is also the "Excellent Traditional Craftsman" category. Wang Tianmu won the award for his traditional Kinmen architectural earth and water construction skills, while Cai Longjin has devoted himself to traditional painting for many years. Both of them passed on the process and practical experience through the master-apprentice system, so that the traditional techniques required for the restoration of historical monuments can be continued. The Ministry of Culture stated that it hopes that through the award, in addition to building restoration, long-term management and maintenance, skill inheritance and talent cultivation will also receive attention.
