NCKU Library Collaborates with NCL to Launch “Shared Sky” Chinese Classics Exhibition-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Library, in collaboration with the National Central Library (NCL), has launched the themed exhibition “Shared Sky: Chinese Classics and Cultural Exchange Around the World (共享蒼穹：中文古籍與文化交流的世界)”, on display from January 16 to March 31, 2026, at the East-Side Multi-Functional Reading Area on the first floor of the NCKU Main Library. The exhibition was first held overseas in Malaysia in 2024 and began touring domestically in 2025, starting at the National Central Library and later moving to National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and the Nanye Astronomical Museum in Danei, Tainan. This is the fourth stop within Taiwan. In addition to featuring selected classic and special collections from NCL, the exhibition includes engaging interactive experiences, inviting students, faculty, and the public to step into the world of ancient books and appreciate the charm of textual and cultural heritage.

The opening ceremony on January 16 featured remarks from NCKU Library Director Tzu-Fang Fu (傅子芳), who expressed gratitude to NCL Director Han-Ching Wang (王涵青) and her team for bringing this invaluable collection of human wisdom to NCKU, allowing students and the public in southern Taiwan to share in this cultural heritage. Fu also thanked NCKU library staff for facilitating the collaboration, ensuring that these classics move beyond archival storage to public engagement. Director Fu noted that while discussions often arise over whether libraries should “keep up with the times” or “preserve their mission,” the core value of the library remains unchanged: it is a place where knowledge converges, bridging past and future with both timelessness and boundlessness, capable of transcending borders to inspire people. This exhibition demonstrates that tradition is not outdated but can convey beauty and power to deeply move modern audiences.

NCL Director Han-Ching Wang remarked that the “Shared Sky” exhibition represents both a challenge and an innovation for NCL, as it integrates overseas and domestic displays for the first time and aligns with sustainable strategies for net-zero emissions by designing all exhibits to be mobile, allowing the exhibition to tour and extend its impact. Director Wang highlighted the many story-rich reproductions of ancient books on display, showcasing the global reach of Chinese character culture. Visitors can see rare items such as the world’s first Zhu-Mo printed Diamond Sutra and ancient cheat books. She emphasized that the exhibition encourages visitors to look beyond the surface of the texts and appreciate the depth and breadth of past scholars’ explorations of the world.

During the event, Director Wang also shared updates on the planning and construction progress of NCL’s new southern branch, providing attendees with insights into the future cultural and reading hub in southern Taiwan. This was followed by a guided tour of the exhibition led by NCL Special Collections Team Director Chia-Pin Chang (張嘉彬) and Assistant Editor Tzu-Yu Chiu (邱子育), who provided professional explanations to help attendees understand the historical context and cultural significance behind the exhibits.

The National Central Library’s rich collections of art and cultural heritage provide a fresh perspective on cultural exchange through rare Chinese classics. The exhibition presents these works as a conceptual “invisible canopy” connecting the world, highlighting the origins of written characters and their convergence with modern civilizations. It explores how Chinese characters have historically served as a bridge connecting knowledge and thought across Asia. Through lively displays and reproductions, students, faculty, and visitors can experience the beauty of ancient texts while understanding the continuous and far-reaching circulation of Chinese classics across Asia and the world.

The exhibition features selected classic and special collections from NCL in fields such as geography, medicine, literature, and religion, illustrating the flow of knowledge and cultural integration across geographic boundaries. Organized into five thematic sections, the exhibition showcases the evolution of writing techniques, the spread of Chinese characters in Asia, international exchanges recorded in ancient books, cultural documentation in Taiwan, and rare items in NCL’s holdings. Visitors can follow this path to understand how ancient texts carry historical memory and enable the transmission of knowledge.

During the exhibition period, two special lectures will be held, inviting scholars to explore the themes from historical, maritime, and cultural exchange perspectives. Students, faculty, and the general public are encouraged to attend.