7th Chiayi Culture Awards Honor Local Arts Dedication and Traditional Craftsmanship

The Chiayi County Government officially held a grand ceremony today to present the 7th Chiayi Cultural Award to three distinguished individuals who have dedicated their lives to the development of the arts and the preservation of traditional crafts in the region. The recipients are He Ming-zong, founder of Hsiezhi Industrial and Commercial Vocational High School, who received the Special Contribution Award; Huang Jin-tsai, a senior artist and master of the Northern Guans (Beiguan) traditional opera and music, who received the Cultural Heritage Award; and Yan Ren-hong, leader of the Sanmeitang Creative Puppet Troupe, who received the New Talent Award. Their recognition not only affirms their personal artistic achievements and educational passion but also highlights the resilient strength of Chiayi in safeguarding its local cultural roots amid rapid societal changes.

Northern Guans, a vital pillar of traditional Taiwanese opera and folk music, has long faced the severe challenges of an aging practitioner base and a lack of successors. Master Huang Jin-tsai, the recipient of the Cultural Heritage Award, is a key figure in protecting this precious intangible cultural asset. For decades, Huang has selflessly imparted his exquisite Northern Guans skills and profound artistic cultivation to new generations of students and aspiring youth. Characterized by its high-pitched, vigorous, and lively nature, Northern Guans music plays an indispensable role in temple festivals and traditional celebrations. Beyond demonstrating exceptional performance and singing skills on stage, Huang has actively conducted grassroots teaching in schools and community groups, effectively countering the decline of traditional arts and ensuring that the resounding gongs and drums of Northern Guans continue to be passed down through generations in Chiayi.

In the category of the Special Contribution Award, He Ming-zong, founder of Hsiezhi Industrial and Commercial Vocational High School, has pioneered new paths for cultural and vocational education in Chiayi through the broad vision and practical approach of an educator. Having been deeply involved in running the school for many years, He has focused not only on cultivating students' academic and technical skills but has also actively integrated local cultural elements into the educational system, providing spaces for art groups and traditional artists to perform and teach. During an era when Taiwanese society generally prioritized academic advancement, He remained committed to nurturing the soil for local cultural roots, offering many young students the opportunity to engage with and fall in love with traditional arts and local culture. His award serves as the highest tribute to his educational spirit and underscores the pivotal role that educational institutions can play in cultural preservation.

Yan Ren-hong, leader of the Sanmeitang Creative Puppet Troupe and recipient of the New Talent Award, represents the innovative burst of creativity at the intersection of tradition and modernity in Chiayi’s local cultural arts. The Sanmeitang Creative Puppet Troupe is renowned for its refined puppetry creations, elaborate costume designs, and dramatically compelling storytelling. The troupe has not only made its mark at major domestic art festivals but has also represented Taiwan on the international stage multiple times, promoting the unique culture of Taiwanese glove puppetry (budai xi) to the world. As the team’s leader, Yan has guided his partners in constantly breaking through the constraints of traditional glove puppetry, integrating modern aesthetics, digital technology, and diverse creative concepts to imbue the ancient puppet art with unprecedented fashionability and contemporary value. Winning the New Talent Award of the Chiayi Cultural Award not only affirms his years of innovative achievements but also sets a new benchmark for the development of contemporary puppetry in Taiwan.

The original intent behind the Chiayi County Government’s establishment of the Cultural Award was to commend individuals or groups that have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of arts and the preservation of cultural assets in the Chiayi region through long-term local engagement. As society changes rapidly, both the preservation of traditional culture and the innovation of contemporary art face numerous challenges. However, it is thanks to passionate and mission-driven cultural workers and educators like He Ming-zong, Huang Jin-tsai, and Yan Ren-hong that Chiayi’s cultural landscape remains diverse and vibrant. From three distinct dimensions—education, traditional opera, and contemporary innovative art—they have collectively built the deep cultural foundation of Chiayi, writing a moving and inspiring chapter in the cultural heritage of Taiwan.

(Source: Central News Agency)