MOC minister honors winners of Taiwan-France Cultural Award in Paris

2020/02/06

An artistic director and an academic association were honored with a joint cultural award Feb. 3 in Paris for efforts in promoting folk culture and research of Taiwan in the French-speaking realm.
 
 Minister of Culture Cheng Li-chun said the contributions of the awardees are strengthening Taiwan’s artistic pedigree and raising the creative profile of the country on the international stage. The country is now in a better position to showcase its unique qualities and appeal thanks to the long-term efforts of the recipients, she added.
 
 Robin Erik Ruizendaal was recognized for promoting Taiwanese puppetry in over 50 countries and staging more than 100 exhibitions. The artistic director of Taipei City-based Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company said all cultural elements warrant respect and support, explaining his goal of setting up a center to safeguard the art form for future generations.
 
 Francophone Association for Taiwan Studies (AFET), which has boosted academic research and cultural awareness of Taiwan in the French-speaking world since 2010, is equally praiseworthy. AFET President Jerome Soldani said the Paris-headquartered nonprofit is committed to protecting the country’s cultures, languages and society by establishing Taiwan studies as a globally distinct field.
 
 Founded in 1996 by the Ministry of Culture and the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, the Taiwan-France Cultural Award is given to distinguished individuals or groups having raised awareness of the country in Europe or facilitated related exchanges.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)