Skip to main content

40th National Cultural Award presented to choreographer Liu Feng-shueh and chant-singer Yang Xiu-qing

  • Date:2021-09-16
40th National Cultural Award presented to choreographer Liu Feng-shueh and chant-singer Yang Xiu-qing

Modern dancer and choreographer Liu Feng-shueh (劉鳳學) and chant-singer Yang Xiu-qing (楊秀卿) were presented with the 40th National Cultural Award, a recognition of lifetime achievement by the Executive Yuan, at the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center on Sep. 16.

Both recipients hold a significant position in their professional fields, actively support the younger generations, and have made great contributions to the maintenance and development of Taiwanese culture.

Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), who presented the award to the artists, said he is especially grateful to Yang for presenting the history of Taiwan through the lyrics of her chant-songs. He added that, Yang has been committed to singing since young, she performed in public places and even at the presidential office building. He hopes that Yang will continue to sing and enrich the culture and history of Taiwan.

Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te stated that this year's award has two major characteristics. First of all, the awards are won by two women, highlighting the country's greatest respect for the contribution of female art workers. Secondly, two recipients have worked in the field of art for more than 60 years and have made huge contributions to the promotion and inheritance of art and culture, so they were unanimously recommended by the jury.

Yang expressed her gratitude and promised that she will continue to chant songs. In the ceremony, she also chanted a song with the theme of "seeking marriage" in a soft voice.

Moreover, Premier Su pointed out that Liu, as Taiwan's first dance PhD graduate, increases the visibility of Taiwan as well as enriches the Taiwan’s society through cultural transmission, and technical inheritance, including modern, Tang music, Confucian, and indigenous dance.

Receiving the award on behalf of Liu, the chairman of the Neo-classical Dance Company Chen Sheng-mei (陳勝美) said, Liu thinks of herself as a dance volunteer, and she appreciates the support and affirmation from all walks of life.