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.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
A former officer in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who witnessed the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has warned that Taiwan could face a similar fate if China attempts to unify the country by force. Li Xiaoming (李曉明), who was deployed to Beijing as a junior officer during the crackdown, said Taiwanese people should study the massacre carefully, because it offers a glimpse of what Beijing is willing to do to suppress dissent. “What happened in Tiananmen Square could happen in Taiwan too,” Li told CNA in a May 22 interview, ahead of the massacre’s 36th anniversary. “If Taiwanese students or
RSS