Winners of the Presidential Culture Awards were announced Sept. 10 in Taipei City, with five individuals and groups honored for their cultural contributions to society.
Organized by Taipei-headquartered General Association of Chinese Culture, the 11th edition of the biennial event saw celebrated filmmaker Ang Lee named recipient of the Arts and Culture Award.
Lee is the first and only Mandarin-speaking director to have won the three major international film awards, namely the Academy Awards, British Academy Film Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
Taiwan Thousand Miles Trail Association, a nonprofit organization in Taipei dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Taiwan through a network of hiking trails around the country, is winner of the Community Building Award. The association has not only effectively enhanced social cohesion, but also promoted exchanges and deepened ties between Taiwan and the international community, according to GACC
Dr. Chen Wen-Chen Memorial Foundation won the Public Advocacy Award for its contributions to the country’s democracy, freedom and human rights, as well as the successful establishment of the Dr Chen Wen-chen incident memorial square at National Taiwan University.
Other recipients included Humanitarian Dedication Award-winner Chen Rong-chi, an avid advocate of hospice and palliative care initiatives in Taiwan; and Creativity and Innovation Award-winner Chen Bo-jin, a breakdancing champion credited for bolstering Taiwan's international visibility by promoting the inclusion of the sport in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
According to GACC, the honorees were selected and judged by a 50-member panel over three rounds. Their long-term dedication to and success in their respective fields makes them ideal role models for all segments of society, the association said.
Launched in 2001, the PCAs recognize individuals and groups for their contributions to Taiwan culture. The awards will be presented to the prize winners during a forthcoming ceremony. (DL-E)
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