臺灣文學虛擬博物館

Many people engage in and interact with sports throughout their lives. Whether running on the track or cheering from the sidelines, we can all feel the endless possibilities radiating from the power of sports. On the other hand, literature can capture the strength and beauty of the human body, recreating with words every adrenaline-fueled moment on the field. In Taiwan, sports culture not only fosters a collective identity but also provides moments of relaxation and even leads to new discoveries in life. Taiwan's modern-day sports culture and new literature can be traced back to the Japanese colonial era. Over the decades and throughout the tides of change, it has since become interwoven into our daily lives. During the Olympics, our eyes are glued to the screen as we cheer on every swing and kick. We gather with friends to sit in the bleachers, yelling cheers and chants for our favorite teams. Literature captures the high intensity of sports and its emotionally charged moments, giving form to the unseen forces at play during a match or competition. The perspective of a written account may be front and center, or perhaps from above, overlooking an entire unfolding development. Thrilling commentary and reporting strive to recreate these scenes, while literary works delve deeper into the psyche or real-life struggles of individual athletes. First-hand accounts from the athletes themselves can shed light on the hesitation and decision-making that occur on the field. This exhibition will guide you to discover the power of sports within Taiwan literature, from exploring the dynamism of the human body to experiencing the portrayals of movements in vivid detail. Let us traverse through the multiverse of these powerful displays of strength!

Warning! You Are Surrounded By Literature covers over a century of Taiwan literature. This exhibition opens a lens into the island's evolving social and political landscapes in six sections, including Humble Beginnings: Brought on the Waves, Nourished by Fertile Island Soils (~1895), Indefatigable Resolve: Dreams and Scars of Cultural Enlightenment (1895~1945), Trial by Fire: Guerilla War against Intellectual Asphyxiation (1945~1980), Democratization: Voices from All Quarters (1980~2000), and Writing our Future … Together. Multimedia displays throughout help visitors interact with, and create new possibilities within, the living stream of Taiwan literature. Find your treasure in this vibrant, flowing stream!

Further information：The Power of Literature: Writing OUR TAIWAN

With the rise of cinema in the 20th century, film became an essential medium for mass communication and entertainment. Meanwhile, literature, as a classical art form deeply tied to memory, began to intersect with film, creating new perspectives and artistic interpretations in contemporary society. 

Taiwan was introduced to the invention and rise of cinema during the era of Japanese rule. By the post-war era, Taiwanese filmmakers began experimenting with local language, leading to a golden age of Taiwanese-language films. In the 1960s, Chiung Yao's romantic storytelling created a fairy-tale kingdom of love, sparking the popularity of “Three-hall” genre movies. By the 1970s, martial arts novels were adapted into blockbuster films, fueling a cross-strait rivalry between Taiwanese and Hong Kong cinema. The 1980s saw the rise of the Taiwan New Cinema (Taiwan New Wave) movement, pioneering new cinematic forms and narrative styles. Literary works such as Chu Tien-wen's Growing Up, Huang Chun-Ming's The Sandwich Man, Pai Hsien-yung's Jade Love, and Liao Hui-Ying's Rapeseed were adapted into films and television. Many works that centered on youth and female coming-of-age themes were also adapted, a trend that continues to this day. These include A Boy Named Flora A, The Making of an Ordinary Woman, and The Magician on the Skywalk. 

In the early days, literary adaptations in Taiwanese film and television largely remained faithful to their original texts. However, with advancements in filmmaking technology and the expansion of global streaming platforms into Taiwan, a new era of literary adaptations has arrived. Contemporary adaptations have not only subverted traditional adaptation structures and styles but also dug into Taiwan's rich literary heritage to develop IP prototypes. These adaptations blend bold creative elements with the core essence of the original works, all while retaining local cultural characteristics and staying true to everyday life. These have become key factors in attracting audiences and expanding Taiwan's presence in the international market. 

In an era where streaming is king, how has Taiwanese literature evolved alongside film and television adaptations? What shifts and defining characteristics can be seen? Let us explore the rise of literary adaptations in Taiwan and trace how literature and visual storytelling have crossed paths across different phases of history to spark creative innovation

Further information：Rewriting the Script: Unexpected Twists in Taiwan Literature and Screen Media