President Chen Shui-bian this morning participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sikou Township Cultural and Living Center in Chiayi County, where he gave a speech.
The president's remarks:
I am glad to attend this groundbreaking ceremony of Chiayi County's Sikou Township Cultural and Living Center. There was originally a library in the Sikou Elementary School that was small and narrow, and our township chief had spoken to Chiayi County Magistrate Chen Ming-wen about this and asked if the library can be expanded. The magistrate then reported the situation to the central government. It is from that time that Council for Cultural Affairs Minister Chen Chi-nan began studying the feasibility of building up a new library in the township. Architects were invited for the design of the construction that will be multi-functional with the capacity to hold arts and cultural activities. It is also designed as a venue to preserve Hakka traditions.
According to the Council for Cultural Affairs' project plan of transforming libraries into local living and learning centers, existing libraries are aimed to become the bases for cultural and social workers and artists to exchange ideas and to inspire each other. And the Sikou Township Cultural and Living Center is to become the first such center in Taiwan. I hope that the promotion of Taiwan's local living culture would start from here-- the Sikou Township, Chiayi County. It will be the greatest pride that we the Sikou people, the Chiayi people, can ever have.
Architectural design of the Sikou Township Cultural and Living Center has combined traits of local culture with concepts of aesthetic beauty. It is meanwhile eco-friendly. The center will be Taiwan's first "green building" upon completion. The solar Ventilation system, along with the local wind direction and eco-ponds, is designed to help keep the center cool in summer and warm in winter. So it is going to be cost-saving. In addition, roof and walls of the building will demonstrate the traditional artistic beauty of the Taiwanese architecture.
At last, I want to thank again everyone who is making possible the building project of the Sikou Township Cultural and Living Center. And I wish good health and happiness to all distinguished guests here. Thank you!