The National Museum of Taiwan History (NMTH), in collaboration with Japan’s National Museum of Ethnology, hosted an international symposium on Feb. 14 and 15 to discuss the preservation and revitalization of local culture in Taiwan and Japan.
The conference featured a keynote speech and 12 paper presentations, with museum experts and scholars from both countries participating. The first day focused on Japan’s interdisciplinary research integrating local studies, examining cultural development, the distribution of cultural resources, and negative heritage.
The second day highlighted Taiwan’s efforts in archival digitization, exploring topics such as museum curation and civic participation, the application and challenges of historical knowledge, Indigenous data archiving, and community building.
Professor Hidaka Shingo (日高真吾), director of the Center for Cultural Resources Studies at National Museum of Ethnology in Japan, remarked that understanding a place’s historical background is crucial to understanding its culture. He also noted that some cultures do not rely on written language or images, making it essential to explore different ways to preserve them.
NMTH director Chang Lung-chih (張隆志) emphasized the museum’s commitment to serving the public through research, collections, exhibitions, and public programs. He expressed gratitude to the invited Japanese scholars for engaging in dialogue with museum members and enhancing cultural preservation exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.
For more information on the symposium, visit NMTH Facebook page.