Taiwan Cultural Assoc. Launches 2026 Postcard Project for Intergenerational Memory

Since its establishment in 1921, the Taiwan Cultural Association has spanned a history of 105 years. The 2026 Taiwan Culture Day series of events, themed "Cultural Democracy, Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom," serves as a tribute to and continuation of the association's long history. Seizing this opportunity, the Ministry of Culture has invited more than fifty bookstores and cultural spaces across Taiwan to jointly organize a creative mailing initiative featuring "Cultural Memory Postcards." By combining text and imagery, personal and local cultural memories are transformed into visible works of art.

The concept of the "Cultural Memory Postcards" is not entirely new; rather, it merges traditional postcard mailing habits with modern social media sharing methods to create an intergenerational interactive platform. Participants can write down their memories of a particular history, place, or ethnic culture on the postcards and mail them to designated cultural spaces. Through this approach, culture ceases to be merely an object of academic research and instead becomes a part of every citizen's daily life, further strengthening the social consensus on "cultural democracy."

The scale and participation of this event demonstrate Taiwan's progress in cultural diversity and inclusivity. Since the 1970s of the Republic of China era, the Taiwanese government has regarded "cultural pluralism" as a key indicator when promoting cultural policies. Through the participation of bookstores and cultural spaces, the event not only focuses on traditional Mandarin-speaking culture but also encourages the expression of indigenous, Hakka, and immigrant cultures. Such diverse participation allows the cultural memories of different ethnic groups to be heard and preserved on the same stage.

Furthermore, the postcard mailing activity serves the dual functions of education and community cohesion. Schools and community groups can use this as an extension of their curricula, allowing students to understand the multi-layered meanings of history and culture through hands-on practice. For urban renewal and local revitalization, the preservation and re-creation of cultural memories can enhance local characteristics, attract the attention of tourists and entrepreneurs, and thereby drive a win-win situation for both the economy and culture.

Finally, this event centered on cultural memory is a microcosm of Taiwan finding its self-identity amidst the wave of globalization. Through the practice of "cultural democracy," Taiwan has not only established a more inclusive cultural environment domestically but has also showcased its diverse and innovative cultural strength on the international stage. In the future, with the continuous promotion and deepening of these activities, every segment of Taiwan's cultural memory will be more widely transmitted and cherished, leaving behind a richer cultural treasure for the next generation.

(Source: Central News Agency)