The Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) announced the winners of the 8th Hakka
Contribution Awards at a press conference on June 27. The biennial award is
presented to recognize individuals or groups for their accomplishments and
contributions to Hakka communities. HAC Minister Lee Yung-de noted that it has
been a competitive year with a total of 57 nominations, adding that it took six
months to finalize the list of nine awardees. In addition to congratulating the
deserving winners, Lee further thanked those who devote themselves to Hakka affairs.
Owing to their continued efforts in different fields, Hakka culture is being
preserved and passed down.
The recipients of the 2019 award include Chu Jen-yih (朱真一), Lin Kuang-hua (林光華), Yang Cheng-nan (楊政男), Chung Yun-Hui Bayin Ensemble (鍾雲輝客家八音團), Hsieh Chi-chiung (謝其煚), Lai Jen-cheng (賴仁政), Lin Sheng-xiang (林生祥), Lee Wan-tang (黎萬棠), and Chiu Shu-chih (邱淑治).
Chu Jen-yih
Chu is a pediatric specialist in hematology and oncology who has served
as a faculty member at St. Louis University for more than 30 years. He has been
promoting the language, history, and culture of the Taiwanese Hakka community across
the United States through newspapers, publications, and lectures. With other
Taiwanese Hakka expats, he founded the Hakka Culture Award of Taiwan (客家臺灣文化獎) in support
of Hakka culture.
Lin Kuang-hua
Lin is one of the organizers who launched the Hakka Restoration
Movement (還我客家母語運動) in 1988. He has been leading a concerted effort
to revitalize the Hakka by fully supporting the magazine “Hakka
Monthly,” and by bringing forward legislation on Hakka-related issues during his
time as a lawmaker. His legislative commitments gave rise to the establishment
of Formosa Hakka Radio, Hakka TV station, and even the Hakka Affairs Council.
Yang Cheng-nan
Yang is a pioneer of Hakka studies. He began his studies and
research on the Hakka shortly after he joined a related association in
1989. He has since mastered the language and compiled several Hakka
dictionaries that have received high praise from many linguistic professionals,
paving the foundation for passing down the core knowledge of Hakka culture.
Chung Yun-Hui Bayin Ensemble
Bayin, which means “eight notes” in Mandarin, is a classic style of Hakka
music traditionally performed at ceremonies. Chung Yun-Hui Bayin Ensemble,
founded in 2004, is one of the most important traditional arts groups of its
kind. With Bayin facing an inheritance crisis, the ensemble has helped
establish Bayin clubs in schools and continues to teach new pupils to preserve
the musical legacy of the Hakka people.
Hsieh Chi-chiung
Hsieh is a photographer who has recorded life in Hakka villages for 60
years. The subjects that he captures with his camera — including farmers, water buffalos, and rice
paddies — offer an
authoritative perspective on rural Hakka settlements. Totaling over 11,000, his
photos have become precious records of Hakka culture.
Lai Jen-cheng
Lai is dedicated to promoting traditional Hakka music, especially Hakka
mountain songs, which he believes hold high historical value. With modern
approaches, Lai actively attempts to break old-fashioned stereotypes of
mountain songs, bringing his audiences new sensations and ensuring that those
songs will be passed down for posterity.
Lin Sheng-xiang
Lin, a Meinong-born Hakka singer, is renowned for his unique folk music
featuring a combination of western and eastern elements. He sings for social
movements and environmental protection in the Hakka, transcending cultural
and national barriers with music that resonates with global and local audiences.
Recently, he has been engaged in Hakka music education for children in hopes of
helping the roots of Hakka culture grow ever deeper in Taiwan.
Lee Wan-tang
Lee, a Spanish Hakka expat, is the founding president of the Hakka Association of Taiwan in Spain. He has been enthusiastically participating in overseas community affairs and ceaselessly promoting Hakka culture. With Lee’s help, the Spanish version of a Hakka novel by esteemed writer Li Qiao was published in 2018. He spares no effort in helping people from different cultural backgrounds learn more about Hakka culture.
Chiu Shu-chih
Chiu is a leader of a percussion group that combines Hakka music with percussion instruments. She has also sponsored many students from disadvantaged families throughout the past three decades. She earns great respect on account of her innovative ideas, participation in Hakka affairs, and passion for Hakka culture.