Looking Back at History Through Communication Technology: Minister Li Yuan Visits 'Signals of the Era' Exhibition
Taiwan's Minister of Culture, Li Yuan, visited the 'Signals of the Era' exhibition at the National Taiwan Museum, reflecting on Taiwan's democratization journey from the 1920s to the present through the lens of communication technology.
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Central News Agency, Taipei, May 25. The National Taiwan Museum launched the 'Signals of the Era' exhibition, and Minister of Culture Li Yuan visited today. Li reflected on his past, from joining the KMT in college to creating advertisements for the DPP, describing his journey from an information follower to an awakened individual through the evolution of communication technology.
The exhibition, 'Signals of the Era: Communication Technology and the Stirring of Democracy,' uses communication technology as a guide. Through nearly 200 artifacts and historical documents, it looks back at Taiwan's democratic journey from the 1920s to the present, showing how people and the government tried to convey their messages during the colonial period, martial law, and the democratization process. The opening press conference was held today.
Li stated that for him, the exhibition is not just history, but his own experience. 'We were unfortunate to grow up in an era full of lies and myths, knowing nothing about the outside world, but we were also fortunate to witness the changes of this era with our own eyes.'
Li mentioned that in the past, there were only three television stations and three film companies. He recalled being forced to join the KMT upon graduating from National Taiwan Normal University, noting that 'everyone was a KMT member at that time.' He also spoke about the pressure of failing military training or certain subjects, and the 'literary inquisition' he felt when his father told him not to write about 'dark military camps' but rather 'sun-drenched military camps.'
Recalling his time studying in Buffalo, USA, in 1979, he learned about events like the Kaohsiung Incident through phone calls. 'Like everyone who grew up in that era, I was brainwashed. It was an era full of myths and lies; all truth and resistance were forbidden because truth would puncture the lies and resistance would expose the myths.'
Later, while working at the Central Motion Picture Corporation, he helped produce films that resisted society. After leaving, he was asked to help with DPP advertisements, which caused a sensation. Li concluded by emphasizing the need to face the challenge of fake news in the internet age to protect the hard-won free and democratic society of Taiwan.
The exhibition, 'Signals of the Era: Communication Technology and the Stirring of Democracy,' uses communication technology as a guide. Through nearly 200 artifacts and historical documents, it looks back at Taiwan's democratic journey from the 1920s to the present, showing how people and the government tried to convey their messages during the colonial period, martial law, and the democratization process. The opening press conference was held today.
Li stated that for him, the exhibition is not just history, but his own experience. 'We were unfortunate to grow up in an era full of lies and myths, knowing nothing about the outside world, but we were also fortunate to witness the changes of this era with our own eyes.'
Li mentioned that in the past, there were only three television stations and three film companies. He recalled being forced to join the KMT upon graduating from National Taiwan Normal University, noting that 'everyone was a KMT member at that time.' He also spoke about the pressure of failing military training or certain subjects, and the 'literary inquisition' he felt when his father told him not to write about 'dark military camps' but rather 'sun-drenched military camps.'
Recalling his time studying in Buffalo, USA, in 1979, he learned about events like the Kaohsiung Incident through phone calls. 'Like everyone who grew up in that era, I was brainwashed. It was an era full of myths and lies; all truth and resistance were forbidden because truth would puncture the lies and resistance would expose the myths.'
Later, while working at the Central Motion Picture Corporation, he helped produce films that resisted society. After leaving, he was asked to help with DPP advertisements, which caused a sensation. Li concluded by emphasizing the need to face the challenge of fake news in the internet age to protect the hard-won free and democratic society of Taiwan.
FAQ
Who is Li Yuan?
He is the current Minister of Culture of Taiwan.