The Institute of Yilan County History on Thursday unveiled a memorial dedicated to Taiwanese democracy pioneer and nationalist Chiang Wei-shui (蔣渭水) at the site of the activist’s former Yilan City residence.
Born in Yilan in 1891, Chiang was an anti-colonialist who contested Japanese rule and was also the founder of the Taiwan Minpao newspaper, the Taiwanese People’s Party, a labor union and other pro-democracy groups.
The ceremony was presided over by Yilan County Commissioner Lin Tsung Hsien (林聰賢), Yilan Mayor Chiang Tsung-yuan (江聰淵), and Chiang Wei-shui Cultural Foundation executive director Chiang Chao-ken (蔣朝根), who is also Chiang Wei-shui’s grandson.
Photo: Chien Hui-ju, Taipei Times
The memorial consists of a plaque and a colonial-style wooden door, behind which historical information about Chiang Wei-shui is displayed over a photocopy of an issue of Taiwan Minpao.
Chiang Wei-shui’s house no longer exists, but the institute tracked down its former location and erected the memorial on a wall near the intersection of Jhongshan (中山) and Mincyuan (民權) roads, event organizer You Yuan-kiang (游源鏗) said.
The door symbolizes the opening of a vista through which visitors can learn about Taiwan and Chiang Wei-shui’s history, You said, adding that Taiwan Minpao was chosen to represent Chiang Wei-shui’s many achievements.
Lin said that Chiang Wei-shui was a “pioneer of Taiwanese social activism” and a “political reformer” who showed “relentless” determination in striving for “the good of the people living at the bottom of society.”
“A man with the conviction to stand up for the people in those times is a worthy example,” Lin said, adding that he hopes the memorial can pass the torch of Chiang Wei-shui’s spirit to the next generation.
Chiang Chao-ken said that many people recognize Chiang Wei-shui’s name, but cannot recall his contributions to Taiwan, adding that he hopes the memorial can address that by keeping the memory of his grandfather alive.
The memorial’s unveiling is part of a series of commemorative events to mark the reinterring of his ashes from Taipei to Yilan County’s Wei-shui Hill (渭水之丘) in the Cherry Blossom Cemetery (櫻花陵園), which is scheduled to take place today.
Concerts honoring Chiang Wei-shui are to be held today and tomorrow in Yilan City.
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