To mark the centennial of the Taiwanese Cultural Association (TCA) on Oct. 17, the Ministry of Culture and the General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC) held a celebration at the Zhongshan Hall, featuring President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te, who paid tribute to the early advocates of Taiwanese cultural enlightenment from 100 years ago.
In her speech, President Tsai Ing-wen pointed out that TCA's founders Lin Hsien-tang (林獻堂), Chiang Wei-shui (蔣渭水), Tsai Pei-huo (蔡培火), and Lai Ho (賴和), among others all loved Taiwan and had a strong sense of identity and mission. President Tsai said that the centennial not only commemorates a group or era, but also carries on their legacy to make Taiwan's culture a force to promote progress as well as a unique brand in the world.
Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te noted that at the 100th anniversary of the TCA, MOC has collaborated with various private foundations to organize commemorative events to communicate TCA's contribution to Taiwan's enlightenment as well as the struggles of its founders back in 1921 through music, art and films.
Lee stated that TCA has left for us four values, including "Taiwan is the Taiwan of the Taiwanese," "Taiwan is of the world," "Taiwan is strengthened by culture," and "Youth Movement." MOC will continue to pass on this era of history and the spirit of TCA to future generations, Lee added.
The centennial event invited cross-field, cross-generation, and cross-ethnic arts performers and groups that blend hip-hop and martial arts, tradition and rock, local and pop music to perform, including singer Sangpuy (桑布伊), Luantan Ascent (乱彈阿翔), Huang Lianyu (黃連煜), and Taiwanese-language rock trio Sorry Youth (拍謝少年), singer Fang Wu (吳汶芳), and Naughty Swing (搖擺舞團).
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