President Lai Ching-te expressed hope that through Taiwan’s literature the country’s stories would be brought to the world and bring further international recognition.
Lai made the remark Dec. 19 in the Presidential Office in Taipei City during a reception for Yang Shuang-zi and Lin King, respectively author and translator of “Taiwan Travelogue,” which took the 75th edition of the National Book Award for Translated Literature, presented by the U.S.-based National Book Foundation in November, becoming the first local literature to be awarded the prize.
The president congratulated both Yang and Lin on the honor and said that their accomplishments reflected scope of Taiwan literature. Lai pointed out that the piece centers on the depiction of journeys on local trains, which provokes reflections on colonialism and nation identity.
Yang said the book was a search for Taiwan identity. Echoing this view, Lai said that Taiwan had been subject to various colonial powers in the past and now, as the country’s president, he hoped to unite all citizens for autonomy.
Lai concluded with hope that more authors would explore themes of Taiwan identity in their work.
Previously, on Dec. 16, Premier Cho Jung-tai also presented the author and translator with medals and NT$300,000 (US$ 9,174) in the Executive Yuan. Cho noted that land is the origin of culture as well as the catalyst for creativity and that authors’ affection and nostalgia for home often brings about exceptional literary creation.
The National Book Award encompasses five categories, one of which, the award for translated literature, acknowledges English versions of outstanding literature, and is open to global authors and translators, the Ministry of Culture added.
Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)
