City of Ryde was presented with a donation of Chinese-language books by the Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, David Cheng-Wei Wu, at an official ceremony on Tuesday 4 March, 2025.
City of Ryde Mayor Trenton Brown, on behalf of Council, received the donation of 60 finalist and prize-winning titles from the 2023 and 2024 Taiwan Literature Awards.
This generous contribution furthers the growing cultural ties between City of Ryde and the Republic of China, fostering a deeper appreciation of Taiwan's rich literary heritage within the local community.
Mayor Trenton Brown expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Director-General Wu for this donation, emphasising its role in enhancing cultural exchange and providing local residents and visitors with access to a diverse collection of Taiwanese literature.
"I am proud that our City has the ability to use cultural and linguistic expression to break through societal barriers," Mayor Brown said. "These books will serve as a reminder of that, and as an important resource for our community, broadening our cultural landscape and encouraging engagement with Taiwanese literature."
The donation was made possible with the support of Director Ying-Fang Chen of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, whose collaboration further highlights the power of literature in fostering international connections. Mayor Brown also extended his appreciation to Director Chen for facilitating this exchange, underscoring the impact of literary diplomacy in strengthening cross-cultural understanding.
The donated books will tour City of Ryde Libraries and will be available for the public to read. After the tour, a curated selection of the books will permanently join West Ryde Library's collection while the remaining books will be donated to our local community.
Ryde's vibrant multicultural community continues to embrace opportunities for cultural engagement, and this latest addition to City of Ryde Libraries collection reinforces its commitment to inclusivity and global connection. City of Ryde looks forward to continued collaboration with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney and the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, ensuring that cultural exchanges such as this remain a vital part of the City's identity and global engagement.
