Taiwan’s 100 years are visited on Nami Island

To mark Taiwan’s centennial anniversary, the Taipei Mission is holding a photo exhibition showcasing historical moments in the island’s development since the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty by Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary forces.

“With this photo exhibition and other activities to come, we will not only remember the past, but also pray for the prosperity of the country for the next 100 years,” said Benjamin (Ying-ping) Liang, representative of the Taipei Mission.

In 1911, Sun, who is frequently referred to as the founding father of Taiwan, brought democracy to China by leading a revolution that ended the monarchy.

The exhibition features more than 60 pictures and takes place at Swin Gallery on Nami Island, near Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province.

Former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower (left) visits Taiwan on June 18, 1960, becoming the only sitting U.S. president to visit Taiwan. After arriving at Taipei Songshan Airport, he rides in a convertible with President Chiang Kai-shek (right) to downtown Taipei.This was an important period for Taiwan-U.S. relations. (Taiwan Government Information Office)

Nami Island was made famous worldwide by the hit drama series “Winter Sonata” starring Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, and has attracted countless tourists from Taiwan and Japan.

“This photographic exhibition explores the ROC’s (Republic of China) development over the past century, encouraging visitors to remember the past, cherish the present and look forward to the future,” said Liang.

The mission put on display all aspects of Taiwanese life such as politics, the economy, education and culture, agriculture, technology and the environment.

“These pictures illustrate the nation’s transformation and the blossoming of diversity, creativity and tolerance in the hundred years since the founding of the ROC,” he said.

Also on display at the photo exhibition, which runs until the end of February, are a wide variety of children’s books.

“At first, the island became famous for Winter Sonata. We want it to be seen as more. We want it to be a cultural attraction. We are very proud of having such a historic photo exhibition on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the founding of the ROC,” said a spokesman for Nami Island resort.

Also on display at the photo exhibition are a wide variety of books for children.

“Decades of effort by the people and government of Taiwan have transformed the country from an economic backwater with a per capita income of $130 in the years following World War II into a paragon of a modern, free-market democracy,” said Liang.

By Yoav Cerralbo (yoav@heraldcorp.com)