'Taiwan Travelogue' Wins International Booker Prize; Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen Congratulates Author Yang Shuang-tzu

(CNA, by reporter Hao Hsueh-ching, Taichung, May 20) Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-tzu's novel "Taiwan Travelogue" has won the prestigious international literary award, the International Booker Prize. As Yang Shuang-tzu was born in Taichung City, Mayor Lu Shiow-yen today congratulated her, calling her a "light of the city" and the "pride of Taiwan." The novel from Taiwan, "Taiwan Travelogue," won the International Booker Prize in London today. The novel's author, Yang Shuang-tzu, said in her acceptance speech, "To be born a Taiwanese is my fortune; to be able to stand here as a Taiwanese writer is my pride." The Taichung City Government extended its sincere congratulations to Yang Shuang-tzu today. Previously, when she won the U.S. National Book Award for Translated Literature, the city had already awarded her a NT$300,000 prize and a medal of honor to recognize her outstanding achievements in literary creation. Furthermore, a TV series adapted from the novel received a NT$2 million subsidy from the city government. During a session at the Taichung City Council this afternoon, Mayor Lu Shiow-yen commented on Yang's award, stating that the city government had been closely following the news. The Cultural Affairs Bureau stayed up all night for the announcement, sent flowers immediately to congratulate her, and issued a press release to express their congratulations. "This is the light of the city and the pride of Taiwan," she said. Lu believes that with Yang winning consecutive major awards, it shows how incredibly difficult it is to nurture an international-class author, who might appear only once in a century. She noted that very few from Taiwan can enter the international literary scene. "Yang Shuang-tzu is the light of Taichung City and the pride of Taiwan. Taichung is proud of her." In response to a related query from Democratic Progressive Party Taichung City Councilor Chiang Chao-kuo, Lu Shiow-yen said she has read the book. She noted its rich descriptions of Taiwanese customs, folklore, and food during the Japanese colonial period, but felt the most important aspect was its portrayal of emotions and sentiments. Lu believes this is a key reason why Yang could enter the international literary world, as creating such a narrative in that closed-off era was no easy feat. Chen Chia-chun, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, explained that Yang's award is undoubtedly a shot in the arm for Taichung's literary scene. She has skillfully transformed Taichung's cultural depth and Taiwan's history into a universal literary language, allowing international readers to see Taiwan and Taichung. The Cultural Affairs Bureau will continue to support local creators and provide a quality environment for arts and culture, so that more outstanding Taichung writers like Yang Shuang-tzu can continue to shine on the international stage. (Editor: Li Shu-hua)