President Chen Shui-bian this evening participated in the award ceremony of the third "Presidential Cultural Award." He presented awards to the winners and also launched with Secretary-General Tchen Yu-chiou of the National Cultural Association the new website of the organization.
In addition to giving confirmation to each of the winner for his/her efforts and contributions to Taiwan's culture, President Chen hoped that through the concerted efforts of the public and private sectors, Taiwan could complete the signing of a cultural convention, promote the prevalence of culture, deepen the root of Taiwanese culture, and spread culture into the countryside.
The president's remarks:
First of all, I welcome everyone here to attend the third "Presidential Cultural Awards" despite your busy schedules. Eighty-four years ago, on October 17, 1921, Taiwan established the "Taiwan Culture Association" under the Japanese rule. At that times of great difficulties, our ancestors had insisted on forging Taiwan's own identity with their sense of cultural awakening. Their footprints had been recorded along the way as they fought for their goals and visions, which indeed touched us a lot. On October 17, 2000, I declared the day to be the Taiwan Culture Day. And the award ceremony of the third "Presidential Cultural Awards" is scheduled today to commemorate this history. The Taiwan Culture Day has carried expectations of a great deal of people. I hope that through the concerted efforts of the public as well as the private sectors, we could complete the signing of a cultural convention, promote the prevalence of culture, deepen the root of Taiwanese culture, and spread culture into the countryside.
I want to thank all individual and group participants for your interest in the award, and also want to express my admiration to each of you here as you have demonstrated vitality as well as your care about the land. As only one winner can be selected to receive the prize in each awards category, there will always be regret that outstanding participants are being left out. Therefore, I express my utmost respect to everyone who has taken part in the contest. Due to your longtime contribution in various arenas, this land of Taiwan has gained progress democratically and has become the home to many.
I want to say "well done" to all the 31 scholars and experts who have served as judges of the contest and all the working partners tonight. It is because of your participation and hard work that the competition has finished with success. And I want to thank all the six winners for your perseverance and efforts that have set the standard for Taiwan's cultural activities. I would like to ask that you accept our highest acknowledgement and greatest respect. Thank you.