President Tsai Ing-wen awarded late Hakka novelist Chung Chao-cheng the Order of Brilliant Star and a presidential citation in recognition of his lifelong contributions to Taiwan literature June 14 during a memorial concert in northern Taiwan’s Taoyuan City.
Expressing condolences to family members and fellow citizens for their loss, Tsai lauded Chung’s dedication to uniting local writers. He played a pivotal role in galvanizing the country’s nativist literature movement and encouraging subsequent generations of homegrown novelists, Tsai said.
Chung, who passed away last month at the age of 95, is considered a trailblazer for daring to incorporate strong local elements into texts written during authoritarian rule in the latter half of the 20th century. Among his famous works are “The Dull Ice Flower,” and Taiwan’s first roman-fleuve novels, “The Muddy Water Trilogy” and “The Taiwanese Trilogy.”
According to Tsai, Chung worked tirelessly to raise the profile of Hakka culture and promote the rights of Taiwan’s ethnic communities, as demonstrated by his participation in the Hakka Language Restoration Movement in 1988 and the establishment of Formosa Hakka Radio in 1994, the country’s first Hakka-language radio station.
Echoing remarks Chung made in 1991 about bringing back the “dignity and glory” of Hakka heritage, Tsai pledged to continue his revitalization efforts.
A Hakka culture park dedicated to the renowned novelist was launched in Taoyuan in April of last year. The park is expected to enhance public awareness of Chung’s legacy while spurring development of the local tourist industry. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw