The two winners of the 18th Taiwan-France Cultural Award — the European Research Center on Contemporary Taiwan (ERCCT) at the University of Tuebingen and Cannes-based music trade show MIDEM — were honored in a ceremony held at the historic institute of French Academy on Sept. 29.
The ERCCT was established in 2008 to fund young researchers from Taiwan to conduct research and teach at the University of Tuebingen in Germany, provide a platform for academic dialogue between Europe and Taiwan, and form cooperative relationships with research institutes in Taiwan.
In the past six years, the ERCCT has published a number of specialized books and articles on Taiwan-related issues, and it also began to host an annual Taiwanese Documentary Films Festival in 2009. In addition to enhancing the visibility of research and study on Taiwan, the center has given full play to its role as a platform for academic and cultural exchanges between Europe and Taiwan.
Upon receiving the award, ERCCT founder Gunter Schubert stated, "This marks a milestone in Europe's study on Taiwan and a significant step for long-term training of such academic researchers.” He explained that he will put the prize money he received to good use by investing in new research projects and enhancing the visibility of Taiwan in Europe.
MIDEM, the joint winner of the 18th Taiwan-France Cultural Award, has paid close attention to the creation of popular music in Taiwan beyond a commercial point of view for many years. Its support has provided Taiwan's music industry entry into international markets for records, music publications, music video tapes, and music sales.
MIDEM director Bruno Crolot noted that the current cooperation with Taiwan is just the beginning and that the MIDEM has already discussed with Taiwan's music industry about bilateral development projects in other aspects for 2015. He also reiterated his belief in the vitality, originality, and openness of Taiwan's music, as how musicians with outstanding originality will create a very brilliant future for the international development of Taiwan's music industry.
Aimed at encouraging those who have promoted cultural exchanges between Taiwan and France and made outstanding contributions, the Taiwan-France Cultural Award was jointly established by the Ministry of Culture and the Academie des Sciences Morales et Politiques in 1996.
Prior to 2008, most winners of the award were French institutes or citizens, but the award selection range has since been expanded to include all European nations. The number of winners has also been boosted to two slots to maximize the effects of the cultural award. The candidates for the award are nominated and recommended by Taiwan's embassies and representative offices throughout Europe.