Lin Huai-min (Professor, National Institute of the Arts)--An Image Cannot Rely On Packaging Alone

I think the essence of a country's international reputation is the social effect produced by its people's lifestyle and attitudes in the long term.

An image cannot simply rely on packaging, for this cannot really resolve intrinsic problems and, after all, packaged goods don't stand the test of time.

The Peking Asian Games, for example, probably stirred up most interest only here in Taiwan. They wanted to package the games so as to mask the traces left by the June 4 massacre on Tienanmen Square and enhance their international image, but in fact people overseas haven't changed their view of Peking, and The New York Times even used the occasion of the games to remind the world not to forget Tienanmen.

So I think enhancing our image requires solid work, which should start with a comprehensive plan for improving the grassroots cultural life of the people. As far as cultural events and performances go, the government should not simply concentrate on Taipei's development or program at the National Theater, emphasis also needs to be placed on the public's leisure out in the provinces.

It's not that no cultural development takes place at all in the provinces, but often it simply inadequate. For instance, every town has a budget to build a library, but some lack funds to purchase books, while others may have the library and the books but lack the staff to run it, because regulations only allow one new librarian for every 10,000 books. In the Chiayi-Tainan area, my home region, fine new libraries have been closed for lack of staff. Sometimes even with a library, books and staff, no steps are taken to promote the library and actively encourage the public to use it. Cultural centers are in the same boat.

Communities could actually stand on their own two feet and organize their own libraries and activity centers according to local needs, and maybe with more success because there would be no official constraints. The government should give encouragement and provide assistance to organizations of this kind.

When the Cloud Gate Dance Ensemble was first established Time magazine ran a piece on them and the article gave a good impression; people realized there must be interesting ideas going on in Taiwan if it could produce original contemporary dance.

But as someone involved in the cultural sphere what worries me is whether we really do have these dance troupes and drama companies, or whether they are just organized temporarily for performances overseas? If it's the latter, surely that's just cultural packaging too!

Genuine cultural organizations should be part of our society and perform for local audiences, with overseas performances being a natural outgrowth from that.

I hope cultural events will become closely associated with popular everyday life, and inspire us with greater powers of self-examination and reflection.