MOC lauds Taiwan traditional art preservers

2015-05-11

Six traditional art and craft masters were recently honored by the Ministry of Culture as living national treasures for their contributions to preserving Taiwan’s cultural heritage.

Beiguan musician Chiu Huo-jung and wife Pan Yu-chiao are recognized for their achievements in sustaining Luantan opera, while late paper-cutting artist Li Huan-chang and wood carver Ye Jing-yi are commended for preserving their respective arts.

Wood frame construction masters Hsu Han-jen and Liao Chih-te are also recognized for passing on carpentry techniques essential to the conservation and restoration of cultural assets.

“Bridging generations and continuing the legacy of traditional arts, these artisans are undeniably national treasures,” said Chang Jen-chi, deputy director of MOC’s Bureau of Cultural Heritage. “It is our privilege to pay tribute to the masters, and we will honor their lifetime achievements with a special ceremony May 23 at Taichung Cultural and Creative Industries Park.”

The celebration is to be followed by an exhibition showcasing the respective talents of the masters at the central Taiwan facility until July 26, highlighting value of preserving the local cultural landscape as a whole.

“Li’s death last month aged 90 sends a salient message that the MOC is in a race against time to complete this mission,” Chang said. “Rest assured, we will leave no stone unturned in preserving Taiwan’s traditional arts and crafts for future generations.”

A total of 36 groups and individuals in Taiwan have been honored by the MOC as living national treasures since the program’s launch in 2009.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=230180&ctNode=413)