Premier Lin Chuan conferred the 2017 National Cultural Award on Professor Liu Kuo-sung, Professor Cheng Shan-hsi and film director Tsai Ming-liang today, thanking the recipients for their long-term efforts in the field of culture, and artistic achievements that have helped the international community gain a better understanding of Taiwan.
In remarks, the premier said that culture is extremely important to countries with an advanced culture, and an important expression of that country's depth, character and inimitable essence. It may take many years for society to acknowledge, identify with and reward some creative works and cultural efforts, with many people motivated by their own interests and ideals to create cultural works that capture the vitality of the nation and society.
When Cheng Li-chiun was first named minister of culture in 2016, she suggested that the Executive Yuan set up a board of culture, elevating culture's importance above the ministerial level, the premier said. The Cabinet would then be able to use its influence to help society understand the importance of culture, and give culture the space to develop greater breadth and depth. The Executive Yuan thus hopes that convening the board of culture will help all government agencies make cultural considerations a part of every policy. Changing existing mindsets to this way of thinking takes continuous effort, the premier said, so that in the future, Taiwan can develop—and take pride in—its distinctive culture.
The three award recipients all have their own styles and special characteristics, the premier said. But developing one's own individual style is often a lonely road, when widespread approval seems far away. Liu Kuo-sung, for instance, was a proponent of changing traditional Chinese painting techniques and materials, an approach that traditionalists initially found hard to accept. The works of Cheng Shan-hsi were sometimes painted on porcelain or other materials, embracing a nativist aesthetic and unique character that today has become a point of pride. Tsai Ming-liang has communicated the special character of contemporary Taiwanese thinking and lifestyles through the medium of film, garnering international acclaim for the artistic brilliance of Taiwanese films, and an enthusiastic welcome in countries throughout Europe that has made the nation proud.
The Ministry of Culture said that the Executive Yuan's National Cultural Award has been conferred since 1981 to honor outstanding individuals, working in various mediums, who have contributed to the development and spread of Taiwanese culture. As the nation's most prestigious cultural prize, the premier will present the winners with award medals and certificates, as well as a special award of NT$1 million (about US$32,600) as a sign of admiration and respect, acknowledging a lifetime of achievement.