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MOC mourns the passing of author and media personality Peng Ko
Author and media personality Peng Ko (彭歌), whose birth name is Yao Peng (姚朋), passed away on June 30 at the age of 100. Upon hearing this news, Minister of Culture Li Yuan mourns deeply, commending Peng’s writing for capturing historic moments and reflecting societal concerns with a journalistic sensibility. Born in 1926 in Tianjin, China, Peng relocated to Taiwan in 1949 and later earned a Master’s degree in Journalism from National Chengchi University (國立政治大學). He subsequently completed Master’s degree programs in both Journalism and Library Science at Southern Illinois University in the United States. Dedicated to journalism and literature, Peng held multiple prominent roles throughout his career. Notably, he served as vice director and chief editor of Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News (臺灣新生報), director and chief writer of Central Daily News (中央日報), and president of the Hong Kong Times (香港時報), as well as the head of the Taipei Chinese Center (中華民國筆會). Peng’s body of work spans novels, literary criticism, and translation, often depicting the fate of individuals and society during times of upheaval. A strong advocate of humanitarian values, he was honored with several prestigious accolades, including the National Award for Arts, the Sun Yat-sen Literary and Art Award, and the Ministry of Education Arts Award. In addition to his writing, Peng actively promoted journalism and library science, contributing to the academic journal “Journalism Research (新聞學研究)” and authoring the book “The Reservoir of Knowledge (知識的水庫).” He also translated influential works such as Norman Vincent Peale’s “The Power of Positive Thinking” and Richard Bach’s “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” His translations received wide acclaim and enriched the literary landscape for Taiwanese readers. ­

MOC mourns the passing of author and media personality Peng Ko

2025-07-07
Author and media personality Peng Ko (彭歌), whose birth name is Yao Peng (姚朋), passed away on June 30 at the age of 100. Upon hearing this news, Minister of Culture Li Yuan mourns deeply, commending Peng’s writing for capturing historic moments and reflecting societal concerns with a journalistic sensibility. Born in 1926 in Tianjin, China, Peng relocated to Taiwan in 1949 and later earned a Master’s degree in Journalism from National Chengchi University (國立政治大學). He subsequently completed Master’s degree programs in both Journalism and Library Science at Southern Illinois University in the United States. Dedicated to journalism and literature, Peng held multiple prominent roles throughout his career. Notably, he served as vice director and chief editor of Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News (臺灣新生報), director and chief writer of Central Daily News (中央日報), and president of the Hong Kong Times (香港時報), as well as the head of the Taipei Chinese Center (中華民國筆會). Peng’s body of work spans novels, literary criticism, and translation, often depicting the fate of individuals and society during times of upheaval. A strong advocate of humanitarian values, he was honored with several prestigious accolades, including the National Award for Arts, the Sun Yat-sen Literary and Art Award, and the Ministry of Education Arts Award. In addition to his writing, Peng actively promoted journalism and library science, contributing to the academic journal “Journalism Research (新聞學研究)” and authoring the book “The Reservoir of Knowledge (知識的水庫).” He also translated influential works such as Norman Vincent Peale’s “The Power of Positive Thinking” and Richard Bach’s “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” His translations received wide acclaim and enriched the literary landscape for Taiwanese readers. ­
MOC announces 36th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music nominees
The 36th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music is scheduled to take place at the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center in Taipei on Aug. 23. On July 2, the National Center for Traditional Arts held a press conference to announce this year’s nominees. A total of 88 performing groups and 42 works were nominated across two main categories: music and theater. “Wen-sinn Yang and Christian Schmitt: Variations of Colors (舒密特與楊文信：萬彩雙琴)” leads the music category with six nominations. In the theater category, “Tavern by the Lethe: A Lost Actress (孟婆客棧：冥星雙飛俠)” and “Who’s in the Painting? (青姬)” each received five nominations, the highest in that category. Deputy Minister of Culture Lee Ching-hwi (李靜慧) noted that according to 2024 data from OPENTIX, Taiwan’s leading platform for purchasing tickets to arts and cultural events, while overall ticket sales for the performing arts have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, traditional theater has shown robust growth in the number of productions and performances, with ticket sales even surpassing those of musicals. This year’s Special Award honors Chen Mao-shuen (陳茂萱) and Linwu Su-hsia (林吳素霞). Chen (1936-2023), a prominent figure in music education and production for over six decades, exemplified a musician’s dedication to cultural transmission and innovation. Linwu, a multifaceted nanguan (南管) musician, has spent nearly 60 years performing and teaching, and in recent years has actively contributed to the analysis and preservation of traditional music archives.

MOC announces 36th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music nominees

2025-07-06
The 36th Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music is scheduled to take place at the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center in Taipei on Aug. 23. On July 2, the National Center for Traditional Arts held a press conference to announce this year’s nominees. A total of 88 performing groups and 42 works were nominated across two main categories: music and theater. “Wen-sinn Yang and Christian Schmitt: Variations of Colors (舒密特與楊文信：萬彩雙琴)” leads the music category with six nominations. In the theater category, “Tavern by the Lethe: A Lost Actress (孟婆客棧：冥星雙飛俠)” and “Who’s in the Painting? (青姬)” each received five nominations, the highest in that category. Deputy Minister of Culture Lee Ching-hwi (李靜慧) noted that according to 2024 data from OPENTIX, Taiwan’s leading platform for purchasing tickets to arts and cultural events, while overall ticket sales for the performing arts have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, traditional theater has shown robust growth in the number of productions and performances, with ticket sales even surpassing those of musicals. This year’s Special Award honors Chen Mao-shuen (陳茂萱) and Linwu Su-hsia (林吳素霞). Chen (1936-2023), a prominent figure in music education and production for over six decades, exemplified a musician’s dedication to cultural transmission and innovation. Linwu, a multifaceted nanguan (南管) musician, has spent nearly 60 years performing and teaching, and in recent years has actively contributed to the analysis and preservation of traditional music archives.
National Railway Museum to open its first phase on July 31
The Taipei Railway Workshop, designated as a national monument in 2015, was announced as the future site of the National Railway Museum (NRM) in 2016. After nine years of restoration, the museum is set to open its first phase on July 31. Originally completed in 1935, the Taipei Railway Workshop stands as Taiwan’s oldest and largest rail-vehicle repair facility. In terms of architecture, technology, labor culture, and the development of transportation in Taiwan, it has substantial, industrial, and historical value. At the exhibit preview, Minister of Culture Li Yuan remarked that the initiative not only safeguards the important history of Taiwan’s railway system but also preserves its cultural heritage. According to the Ministry of Culture (MOC), the first phase of the NRM highlights six architectural sites: the diesel-electric workshop, head office, technician training center, material testing center, auditorium, and bathhouse. It also includes three permanent exhibitions, two in-situ displays, and a dedicated space for children’s activities. One of the permanent exhibitions, titled “Taiwan Railway History in Culture (文化中的臺灣鐵道史),” showcases a collection of manuscripts and reading videos contributed by various authors, including a handwritten draft donated by Minister Li himself. He expressed hope that the museum will serve as a vibrant hub that presents diverse programs to engage visitors from all walks of life. In addition, a 335-meter-long passageway connecting to the NRM will also open to the public, designed to enhance local accessibility and bridge the gap between the community and the historic site. For more information, visit NRM official website or Facebook page.

National Railway Museum to open its first phase on July 31

2025-07-02
The Taipei Railway Workshop, designated as a national monument in 2015, was announced as the future site of the National Railway Museum (NRM) in 2016. After nine years of restoration, the museum is set to open its first phase on July 31. Originally completed in 1935, the Taipei Railway Workshop stands as Taiwan’s oldest and largest rail-vehicle repair facility. In terms of architecture, technology, labor culture, and the development of transportation in Taiwan, it has substantial, industrial, and historical value. At the exhibit preview, Minister of Culture Li Yuan remarked that the initiative not only safeguards the important history of Taiwan’s railway system but also preserves its cultural heritage. According to the Ministry of Culture (MOC), the first phase of the NRM highlights six architectural sites: the diesel-electric workshop, head office, technician training center, material testing center, auditorium, and bathhouse. It also includes three permanent exhibitions, two in-situ displays, and a dedicated space for children’s activities. One of the permanent exhibitions, titled “Taiwan Railway History in Culture (文化中的臺灣鐵道史),” showcases a collection of manuscripts and reading videos contributed by various authors, including a handwritten draft donated by Minister Li himself. He expressed hope that the museum will serve as a vibrant hub that presents diverse programs to engage visitors from all walks of life. In addition, a 335-meter-long passageway connecting to the NRM will also open to the public, designed to enhance local accessibility and bridge the gap between the community and the historic site. For more information, visit NRM official website or Facebook page.
NMTL announces 2025 Writers-in-Residence of Taiwan Literature Base
The National Museum of Taiwan Literature (NMTL) announced the selection results for its 2025 Writers-in-Residence selection of the Taiwan Literature Base on June 30. This year saw the highest number of applications and the greatest level of international participation since the program’s launch, with submissions from 70 writers across 21 countries—international applicants accounting for 65% of the total. A total of 18 writers and translators were selected, including six from Taiwan and 12 from countries such as the U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Italy, France, and Germany. Starting in August, they will take up residence at the Taiwan Literature Base to develop their creative projects and engage with local readers, writers, and publishers. The NMTL stated that since the program’s inception in 2021, nearly 60 writers have participated in the literary exchange. This year’s selection includes several international translators, notably Kim Yi-sak (金依莎), Silvia Pozzi, and Karin Betz, who have been commissioned to translate the Taiwanese novel “Taiwan Travelogue” by Yang Shuang-zi into Korean, Italian, and German, respectively. For more information, visit the NMTL official website and Taiwan Literature Base Facebook page.

NMTL announces 2025 Writers-in-Residence of Taiwan Literature Base

2025-07-02
The National Museum of Taiwan Literature (NMTL) announced the selection results for its 2025 Writers-in-Residence selection of the Taiwan Literature Base on June 30. This year saw the highest number of applications and the greatest level of international participation since the program’s launch, with submissions from 70 writers across 21 countries—international applicants accounting for 65% of the total. A total of 18 writers and translators were selected, including six from Taiwan and 12 from countries such as the U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Italy, France, and Germany. Starting in August, they will take up residence at the Taiwan Literature Base to develop their creative projects and engage with local readers, writers, and publishers. The NMTL stated that since the program’s inception in 2021, nearly 60 writers have participated in the literary exchange. This year’s selection includes several international translators, notably Kim Yi-sak (金依莎), Silvia Pozzi, and Karin Betz, who have been commissioned to translate the Taiwanese novel “Taiwan Travelogue” by Yang Shuang-zi into Korean, Italian, and German, respectively. For more information, visit the NMTL official website and Taiwan Literature Base Facebook page.
MOC launches inaugural Golden Picture Book Awards
To support the development of original picture books in Taiwan, the Ministry of Culture (MOC) announced the launch of the “Golden Picture Book Awards (金繪獎)” on June 25. Submissions will be open from July 1 through Sept. 1, with six award categories totaling NT$3.27 million in prize money. Minister of Culture Li Yuan, who is also an author, remarked that picture books are among the most effective mediums for introducing children to reading and art. He also emphasized the international appeal of picture books, noting that the combination of text and illustrations makes them ideal for showcasing Taiwanese culture on the global stage. Minister Li further stated that through the Golden Picture Book Awards, the ministry aims to establish a comprehensive support system encompassing creation, talent cultivation, publishing, and marketing, as well as to develop this model into a benchmark for other artistic fields. According to the MOC, the inaugural edition of the award is open to works published for the first time in Taiwan with either an ISBN or GPN, between Jan. 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The award includes six categories: Special Contribution Award, New Talent Award, Best Editor Award, Cross-domain Application Award, Annual Picture Book Award, and the Golden Picture Book Grand Prize (with one winner each in fiction and non-fiction). For more information, visit https://grants.moc.gov.tw/ or contact Ms. Lin at the MOC Department of Humanities and Publications at 02-8512-6494.

MOC launches inaugural Golden Picture Book Awards

2025-06-26
To support the development of original picture books in Taiwan, the Ministry of Culture (MOC) announced the launch of the “Golden Picture Book Awards (金繪獎)” on June 25. Submissions will be open from July 1 through Sept. 1, with six award categories totaling NT$3.27 million in prize money. Minister of Culture Li Yuan, who is also an author, remarked that picture books are among the most effective mediums for introducing children to reading and art. He also emphasized the international appeal of picture books, noting that the combination of text and illustrations makes them ideal for showcasing Taiwanese culture on the global stage. Minister Li further stated that through the Golden Picture Book Awards, the ministry aims to establish a comprehensive support system encompassing creation, talent cultivation, publishing, and marketing, as well as to develop this model into a benchmark for other artistic fields. According to the MOC, the inaugural edition of the award is open to works published for the first time in Taiwan with either an ISBN or GPN, between Jan. 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The award includes six categories: Special Contribution Award, New Talent Award, Best Editor Award, Cross-domain Application Award, Annual Picture Book Award, and the Golden Picture Book Grand Prize (with one winner each in fiction and non-fiction). For more information, visit https://grants.moc.gov.tw/ or contact Ms. Lin at the MOC Department of Humanities and Publications at 02-8512-6494.