The Preparatory Office of National Railway Museum (PONRM) organized the “2023 Forum on Railway Culture: Collaborative Strategies for International Integration” on Nov. 4. The forum was joined by Omiya Railway Museum’s Director Yoshiyuki Oba (大場喜幸), Deputy Director Fumihiro Araki (荒木文宏), and Director Kenichi Igarashi (五十嵐健一) of the Academic and Arts Department. This forum is the first event since the signing of the cooperation agreement by PONRM and the Omiya Railway Museum.
At the event, Chen Teng-chin (陳登欽), the Secretary-General of Ministry of Culture (MOC), expressed anticipation for the National Railway Museum to collaborate with other transportation departments to create a museum that is devoted to not only railway memorabilia but also public memories. He also added that the partnership fostered through this forum will contribute to the enhancement of the museum’s equipment, software, and hardware.
In the morning session, professor Tseng Kuang-tsung (曾光宗) from the Architecture Department of Chung Yuan Christian University (中原大學) moderated the discussion. Director Oba shared insights into the history and future plans of Omiya Railway Museum, while also highlighting his expectations for the role of National Railway Museum (NRM).
Meanwhile, Director Ku Ting-wei (古庭維) of Takao Railway Museum (舊打狗驛故事館) shared his observation at the International Conference of Railway Museums, emphasizing how these international exchanges help to enrich the museum’s collections and exhibitions.
The afternoon session was moderated by professor Hung Chih-wen (洪致文) from the Geography Department of National Taiwan Normal University (國立臺灣師範大學), focusing on the themes of “Exhibition Display and Vehicle Restoration” and “Preservation and Research of Collections.” Participants had a dialogue on the collection, restoration, preservation, and display of cultural relics.
The Taiwan-Japan railway cultural exchange has been long supported by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan. Following this event, both parties will continue to carry out reciprocal exchanges including digitization of historical documents, railway exhibition technology, and the operation aspects of museums, so as to expand railways as a strategic tool for cultural diplomacy.