President Chen Shui-bian made an inspection tour today of the recently expanded National Taiwan Museum and delivered a speech during the opening of the special exhibition "Taiwan in Maps." After a briefing from the Museum staff on the history and expansion work done on the Museum, the President said:
Today May 18 is "International Museum Day." After a two-year expansion work, this National Taiwan Museum decided to have its inauguration today and also hold "Taiwan in Maps," the special exhibition that has much significance for our time. From the pre-historic paintings done on deerskin to our present-day computer-generated animation, the images of Taiwan convey a variety of cultures at different epochs enabling us to rediscover the place it occupies along the endless flow of history and within the immensity of this earth. They are also an occasion for us to reflect on the direction of Taiwan's future development. A-bian hopes that the organizers do an extensive work of promotion or cooperate with schools and hold extra-school educational activities, so that our young friends could visit the National Taiwan Museum and learn about the long history of Taiwan. In this classically majestic edifice, they could rediscover Taiwan and understand Taiwan.
We all know that the National Taiwan Museum used to be the Provincial Museum. In earlier times, it used to be called the Museum of the Taiwan Governor's Office. The Office of the Governor and the Governor's Residence of that time that have now become the Office of the President, and the Taipei Guest House were the three most magnificent and beautiful buildings in Taipei City.
After the democratization of Taiwan politics, these symbols of past authoritative power must find their new historical niche. Since I became Mayor of Taipei City, I had always promoted the "lifting of space martial law" around the areas of the Office of the President, hoping to transform these icy structures into democratic sanctuaries and cultural assets that people could enter and enjoy.
In the year 2000, we had a change in the party in power and we expedited the renovations of the Office of the President and the Taipei Guest House. We not only improved the structural strength of these buildings, but also cleaned their facades and enhanced their lighting at night, displaying their original elegance. Today, the National Taiwan Museum has completed its renovation, revealing the new faces and the shining beauty of these three pearls of Taipei City for our countrymen to behold. At the same time, it has activated interest and given a new meaning to historical artifacts.
A museum represents the collective memory of a society and offers the people a life-long learning. It symbolizes the important milestones along the development of a national culture. Many countries establish a museum or a fine arts museum in the heart of their capitals enabling their foreign visitors to get to know the important milestones in their history and culture. When I was Mayor of Taipei City, concepts and plans were adopted to rebuild the capital, hoping historical buildings and relics located around the Office of the President, including the Bank of Taiwan headquarters, the Judicial Yuan Building, the National Taiwan University Hospital, the National Taiwan University Medical College, the Tobacco and Wine Monopoly Bureau, and even a little farther down to the Taipei Post Office and the Taiwan Railway Administration old offices, all would be renovated and returned to their historical facades and some of their unused buildings would be transformed into museums exhibiting items related to their past functions. In this way, we built a model of a city with historical and humanistic flavor, displaying the aspirations and features of a future capital.
Ninety years have passed since the establishment of the Taiwan National Museum. Looking at it today, its exhibition space inevitably looks insufficient and cramped. So the Council for Cultural Affairs (CCA) under the Executive Yuan is vigorously promoting its further expansion. Through its basement, it will be connected with the old Taiwan Land Bank (another historical edifice) and become one building. This would increase its exhibition and storage space. This underground work will involve the participation of the Taipei City Government and the CCA has already obtained the agreement of the City Government. I would like to thank Mayor Ma and the City Government for full support and cooperation to fulfill everyone's aspirations for a museum for the capital.
On the occasion of this "Taiwan in Maps" special exhibition, I hope that everyone not only rediscover Taiwan through the images it presents, but also relish the beauty of this museum's architecture. I also wish that with the cooperation of both central and city governments, the further expansion of the National Taiwan Museum could proceed smoothly and finish soon. Lastly, A-Bian would like to express his gratitude to all those who have worked in rebuilding and opening this museum. I wish all our guests and everyone present Good Health and Good Life!
The former Provincial Museum was a meeting place for young people who would meet, not inside, but in its surrounding area. I used to meet with my young friends on these brick steps. We hope that in the future, the National Taiwan Museum could also be the meeting place for many young people; but this time, not just on the steps, but also inside to enjoy its exhibited artifacts. I believe that this is what we are hoping for, what all our countrymen aspire to. Thank you again!