Exceptional publications and outstanding publishers winning the 44th Golden Tripod Awards were honored at a ceremony held on the afternoon of September 11 at the New Horizon Building in Taipei City. This year, some 1,300 published works vied for 20 awards of four categories -- magazines, books, government publications, and digital publishing. The jury members chose 28 works for awards, and another 41 outstanding publications were selected for recommendation.
In recognition of the achievements of the winners and publishers, Premier Su Tseng-chang attended the ceremony and presented this year's special contribution award to Ho Fei-peng, chairman of Cite Publishing Ltd. He mentioned that he was taught to respect writing and writers since early childhood, and, as such, he places great importance on the world of publishing. Publishing a book, he added, can have a lasting influence upon many people.
He also praised special contribution award winner Ho Fei-peng for valuing teamwork spirit. Noting that in the past the state had used its power to suppress publishing and restrict freedom, the Premier said, nowadays the same power is supporting the industry through incentives like the Golden Tripod Awards with the aim of fostering a joint effort to promote democracy. From using state power to suppress to applying the same power to encourage the publishing industry, the progress demonstrates the difference between free and open democratic countries and authoritarian ones, according to the Premier. He expressed special appreciation for the efforts of Taiwan's publishers in making Taiwan a more diverse, multiple and colorful place.
Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te stated that the Golden Tripod Awards was established primarily to encourage quality publications. Publications, books and magazines are the fundamentals of content industry as well as wellsprings of culture and creative industries, according to the minister.
Awarded works of this year's Golden Tripod Award are currently being promoted in bookstores and libraries across Taiwan, together with videos on the writers' creative concepts and their acceptance speeches. More information on the winners and related promotional activities can be found at the Golden Tripod Awards website.