Guardian of Taiwanese Literature, Distinguished Alumnus Liang-Ze Zhang, Receives Tainan Cultural Award.-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

On November 26, Professor Zhang Liangze, the distinguished alumnus of NCKU for the academic year 110, was awarded the 12th "Tainan Cultural Award" in a ceremony held at the new headquarters of the Tainan Municipal Library in Yongkang District. Tainan Mayor Wei-Che Huang personally presented the certificate and trophy. The event was attended by important guests from academia, politics, and the cultural sector, who came together to celebrate Professor Zhang Liangze's outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the promotion of Taiwanese literature.


Professor Zhang Liangze is an alumnus of the NCKU Department of Chinese Literature (Class of '54). From a young age until now, "Taiwanese literature" has been an ideal and lifelong passion for Professor Zhang Liangze. In addition to his long-term efforts in collecting and preserving Taiwanese literature materials from the Japanese colonial period, Professor Zhang advocates for literary creation drawn from various corners of society. At the age of 85, he continues to write and is the founder of the "Elderly Literature Journal," showing continuous concern for the current social situation. Despite his age, he is committed to promoting the dream of Taiwanese literature and once again calls for the establishment of a "Taiwanese Literature National Park" to comprehensively preserve Taiwanese literature.


Mayor Wei-Che Huang expressed gratitude to Professor Zhang Liangze for his long-term efforts in promoting Taiwanese literature on the front lines. Even at the age of 85, Professor Zhang Liangze continues to work tirelessly, making significant contributions to the development of Taiwanese literature. Being honored with the 12th Tainan Cultural Award is well-deserved recognition.


Professor Zhang Liangze has long been dedicated to researching and archiving literature-related documents and author manuscripts. He is recognized as the "Guardian of Taiwanese Literature." He spent years organizing the literary works and documents of Taiwanese authors such as Chung Li-ho, and he was the first to compile the complete works of Taiwanese literature authors, editing collections like "Chung Li-ho's Complete Works," "Wu Cho-liu's Works," "Wang Shih-lang's Complete Works," and "Wu Hsin-jung's Complete Works."


Xie Shi-yuan, Director of the Tainan City Cultural Affairs Bureau, stated that Professor Zhang, despite being born in Nantou Puli, has dedicated himself to Tainan, settling in Madou since 2002. Serving as a professor at NCKU's Department of Chinese Literature since 1972, he led the trend by introducing Taiwanese writers and works into the curriculum, pioneering the integration of Taiwanese literature into university education, inspiring post-war generations of writers to gain a deep understanding of the true context of Taiwanese literature. Xie Shi-yuan thanked Professor Zhang Liangze for spending over half a century picking up the pieces and creating a complete picture of Taiwanese literature in an era when it struggled to find a place.


Since his undergraduate days at NCKU's Department of Chinese Literature, Professor Zhang Liangze began collecting and organizing the manuscripts of Chung Li-ho. To buy books and collect data, he not only frequently paid out of his pocket but also worked to buy books. While moving a photocopier, the heavy machine broke a vein in his lung due to the weight, resulting in the hunched posture he carries when walking. During his tenure at NCKU's Department of Chinese Literature, Professor Zhang Liangze led students to comfort patients at the North Gate Wujiao Hospital and conducted on-site investigations at Tainan Prison, encouraging students to gain a deep understanding of the land through literary creation and practicing humanistic care. He also participated in founding the NCKU Feng Huang Tree Literature Award, initiating a trend in literature awards at universities and nurturing a new generation of Taiwanese literature writers.


Sheng-Sung Huang, Chair of the NCKU Department of Chinese Literature, expressed congratulations, saying that the honor bestowed on Professor Zhang Liangze not only belongs to him but is also shared by NCKU and the Department of Chinese Literature. Video Link