Taiwanese novelist Wang Wen-hsing (王文興) was posthumously awarded with a presidential citation in recognition of his contributions to modern literature in Taiwan, the Ministry of Culture said.
To celebrate the life and works of Wang, who passed away in September, more than 200 of his colleagues, students, readers and friends in the literary world and beyond gathered at the National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Liberal Arts to share their memories of him and recite his works.
An exhibition was held at the venue to display Wang’s published works and manuscripts, along with never before published photographs provided by Chen Chu-yun (陳竺筠), Wang’s widow.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture via CNA
Wang left peacefully with blessings, Chen said, adding he had been prepared and thought that everything he should do had been done.
She jokingly called Wang “the real Taiwanese author” as he is known for his enigmatic and experimental works filled with Mandarin Phonetic Symbols, which only Taiwanese understand.
Deputy Minister of Culture Lee Ching-hwi (李靜慧) on Saturday presented Chen with the citation, which praises Wang as the pioneer of modernism who established a niche for the development of Taiwanese literature.
He “profoundly influenced Taiwan’s literature and culture with the pursuit of artistic writing” that focused on naturalness and musicality, Lee said.
The works of Wang provide insight into human nature and embody the essence of modernist aesthetics, she said.
Wang is not only an exemplary model in Taiwan’s literary world but also “a great cultural asset,” she added.
NTU president Chen Wen-chang (陳文章) paid tribute to Wang, who was a faculty member at the university for more than 40 years.
Wang never compromised on experimentation with words. His writing invites readers to relish the nature and dynamics between the lines, NTU College of Liberal Arts dean Cheng Yu-yu (鄭毓瑜) said.
Although Wang has passed away, the stereotype-breaking works he left behind would always be a great contribution, she said.
Yeh Bu-jung (葉步榮), manager of Hung Fan Bookstore (洪範書店) and publisher of all of Wang’s novels, said that he was honored to work with this “great literary artist.”
Wenhsun (文訊) Magazine editor-in-chief Feng Te-ping (封德屏) published a memorial collection, which includes Wang’s work and photos as well as 24 articles written in memory of him, as a gift for those who attended the memorial.
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