Tsai Ing-wen Congratulates 'Taiwan Travelogue' on Booker Prize Win, Says World Now Sees Taiwan's Story
On May 20, former President Tsai Ing-wen congratulated Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi's novel "Taiwan Travelogue" for winning the 2026 International Booker Prize. Tsai stated this is a historic moment for Taiwanese literature, showcasing the nation's profound cultural power to the world, beyond its technological strength and democratic resilience. She thanked the author and translator Lin King for allowing Taiwan's stories to be seen by the world.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 14:01
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(CNA reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, 20th) Former President Tsai Ing-wen said today that "Taiwan Travelogue" winning the 2026 International Booker Prize marks a significant historical moment for Taiwanese literature and a moment for the world to see Taiwan's story. It lets the world know that Taiwan possesses not only technological prowess and democratic resilience but also a deep and moving cultural power.
A major event in the English literary world, the annual International Booker Prize, announced its winner in London. The grand prize was awarded to the novel "Taiwan Travelogue," written by Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi and translated into English by Lin King.
Tsai Ing-wen took to Facebook today to congratulate Yang Shuang-zi and translator Lin King.
Tsai said that "Taiwan Travelogue" winning the 2026 International Booker Prize is a crucial historical moment for Taiwanese literature and a moment for the world to see Taiwan's story. This work becomes the first novel in the Chinese language to win the International Booker Prize, setting a new milestone for Taiwanese literature on the international stage.
Tsai expressed her fondness for Yang Shuang-zi's words upon receiving the award: "It is my good fortune to be born a Taiwanese person; it is my pride to be able to stand here as a Taiwanese writer."
Tsai believes this sentence speaks to the feelings of many Taiwanese people. She said that Taiwan's stories don't always need to be told in the grandest ways but can be slowly understood by the world through a journey, a flavor, the memory of an era, and the delicate emotions between people.
She said, "Thank you, Yang Shuang-zi, for writing Taiwan through literature, and thank you, Lin King, for bringing more readers into Taiwan through translation. You have let the world know that Taiwan has not only technological strength and democratic resilience but also a profound and moving cultural power."
Tsai stated that today everyone celebrates Taiwanese literature and also cheers for every person who continues to create, translate, publish, and promote Taiwan's stories. Taiwan's stories are worthy of being read by the world; "and Taiwan's name will, because of you, travel even farther."
A major event in the English literary world, the annual International Booker Prize, announced its winner in London. The grand prize was awarded to the novel "Taiwan Travelogue," written by Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi and translated into English by Lin King.
Tsai Ing-wen took to Facebook today to congratulate Yang Shuang-zi and translator Lin King.
Tsai said that "Taiwan Travelogue" winning the 2026 International Booker Prize is a crucial historical moment for Taiwanese literature and a moment for the world to see Taiwan's story. This work becomes the first novel in the Chinese language to win the International Booker Prize, setting a new milestone for Taiwanese literature on the international stage.
Tsai expressed her fondness for Yang Shuang-zi's words upon receiving the award: "It is my good fortune to be born a Taiwanese person; it is my pride to be able to stand here as a Taiwanese writer."
Tsai believes this sentence speaks to the feelings of many Taiwanese people. She said that Taiwan's stories don't always need to be told in the grandest ways but can be slowly understood by the world through a journey, a flavor, the memory of an era, and the delicate emotions between people.
She said, "Thank you, Yang Shuang-zi, for writing Taiwan through literature, and thank you, Lin King, for bringing more readers into Taiwan through translation. You have let the world know that Taiwan has not only technological strength and democratic resilience but also a profound and moving cultural power."
Tsai stated that today everyone celebrates Taiwanese literature and also cheers for every person who continues to create, translate, publish, and promote Taiwan's stories. Taiwan's stories are worthy of being read by the world; "and Taiwan's name will, because of you, travel even farther."