As many Chinese are becoming increasingly distant from their cultural and historical roots under the influence of Western society, the presence of a group of workers dedicated to introducing things Chinese both past and present, to readers at home and abroad, is indeed something to be treasured. These writers and artists have interviewed specialists, visited historical and scenic spots, and perused the contents of libraries and museums to dig out the deepest cultural roots which have sunk into the depths of obscurity.
Located in an old building on Pateh Road in Taipei, the office of Echo magazine was formerly an apartment. The bathroom has been converted into a darkroom, and the lobby is filled with tables, chairs and bookshelves. Walls are decorated with photos and magazine covers, and books, data and decorations are scattered around. The clatter of typewriters, ringing of telephones, and the occasional roar of trains running nearby are the only distractions.
Editor of Echo magazine, Linda Wu, was born in New York city, but is a member of a family originally coming from Kwangtung province. As her father formerly worked at the Chinese Embassy in the United States, she has received Western education since being a child. After finishing her studies at the Western College in Ohio State, majoring in political science and history, she continued her studies in Britain under a Fulbright-Hoys Scholarship.
Her experience in foreign countries made her aware of the lack of knowledge about China in the West, and the dearth of materials available to change this situation. She became convinced that a publication on the Chinese people and their culture would help eliminate prejudices and further the world's understanding of China's past and present.
In 1970, at the age of 26, Linda Wu, recruited a team of dedicated editors, writers and artists, with an average age of 24, and decided to publish a magazine in English to introduce Chinese history, culture, customs, arts, festivals and folklore to the world. Besides collecting data and consulting with scholars and specialists, the staff undertook field work to gather as much raw material as possible.
During the past nine years, the subject matter covered by the magazine has included festivals, gods, folk beliefs and customs, performing arts, martial arts, fine arts, crafts, culture, history, philosophy, medicine, natural history, science, old machines, travel, food, traditional trades, games and fashions.
Two years ago, the Chinese edition of Echo magazine was started. Special issues on Chinese photographic art, children's games and toys, scenic spots in Taiwan, and the formative art of the Chinese people were included in the subject matter.
Among all the staff members of Echo magazine, Huang Yung-sung, Yao Meng-chia and Shi Sung have cooperated with Linda Wu for the longest period. All three graduated from the Department of Fine Arts of the National Taiwan Academy of Arts, Huang majoring in sculpture, the other two in Western painting.
Huang Yung-sung was born in 1945 in Taoyuan County in northwestern Taiwan. Now publisher and art director of the Chinese-language Echo magazine, he had tried his luck in experimental film and advertising design before he finally decided to concentrate on photography in 1967. He was chosen as one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Men" for 1979, because of his inspiration and creative role in starting two magazines dedicated to acquainting both Chinese and non-Chinese with the intricacies of Chinese society.
Yao Meng-chia, in charge of the compilation of data and art work, is noted for his patience and perseverance. Hsi Sung, the administrative editor of Echo Chinese edition, is also an important freelance writer for the magazine. Assistant editor Huang Sheng-lin majored in pharmacology. Currently, the magazine has 17 staff members. As their workload is heavy and revenue meager, their interest in and ideals for their work are perhaps the only basis of their unwavering dedication.
The enthusiasm of readers has convinced them that it is worth the effort involved, however. Prof. Yu Ta-kang was perhaps the most vigorous in supporting the staff in publishing a Chinese edition of Echo. When Prof. Yu died in 1978, Echo decided to put his wish into practice, seven years after the English edition of Echo was first issued.
As publisher Huang put it: "Nowadays, many people in our society specialize in a certain field of academic research, but not many have an in-depth understanding of their own culture. Echo's aim is to discover forgotten cultural traditions piecemeal from the five thousand years of Chinese history and heritage to serve as the bridge between the past and present, as well as between academic research and conventional social practices."
When a subject is decided on, specialists and scholars are invited to give seminars to the staff of editors, writers, photographers and artists. Sometimes, government officials and law consultants also contribute valuable opinions.
To obtain a general picture at the beginning, the staff collected materials from books, museums and libraries. Most important of all, however, is work in the field. The article "Pilgrimage to Tachia" for instance, took some three years to complete. Yao took part in the pilgrimage four times, Huang and Wu three times each. They realized that only through first-hand contacts with the pilgrims could they obtain an in-depth knowledge of the religious festival. As a result, they were not only able to present a moving story to readers but also win precious friendship with pilgrims, some aged 70 or 80.
As Linda Wu is very demanding in literary standards, she invited two foreigners and two overseas Chinese, who have received education in English language, to undertake the English writing and editorial work. Linda Wu may ask a contributor to rewrite his or her article four or five times.
With its high standards of writing, photography, lay-out and printing, Echo's English edition has been read by subscribers from 35 countries around the world. The Gulbenkian Museum of Oriental Art of the University of Durham in Britain sponsored a three-month exhibition featuring Echo magazine. As a result, many people were persuaded to visit Taiwan, most of them eager to become acquainted with the staff of Echo.
Besides laboring to put out a magazine with equal emphasis on photography and editorial content, Echo magazine sometimes holds exhibitions, such as the one on children's toys or making documentary films, to allow a sophisticated and intelligent discourse on Chinese culture and way of life on an international basis.
Because of the need to ensure that the magazine is of the highest quality, the bimonthly Chinese edition of Echo sometimes does not come out on time, and the English edition has also been suspended for more than a year, to smooth the production of the Chinese version.
Linda Wu attributed these shortcomings to the lack of human and financial resources. Asked if they had plans to enlarge the present organization, she said: "At present, we have no such plans. Our only and utmost goal is to maintain the high quality of Echo. In fact, we have difficulty finding suitable staff. Only those who are willing to give complete dedication, and regard Echo as part of their life, instead of just work, are needed in our crew, because staff members frequently work 15 hours a day."
As the cost of the quality paper and printing is high, Echo also runs other related business. For instance, the company publishes Vista in five languages for the Government Information Office, and works as an advertising agency for private companies.
The circulation of the Chinese edition of Echo of Things Chinese has been increased from 5,000 to 20,000 in the past two years. With a more commercially oriented management, it is hoped Echo will be able to improve its financial position and continue to serve more and more people in countries all over the world.
[Picture Caption]
1. The English edition of Echo magazine was published in 1971. During the past nine years, the magazine has introduced Chinese history, culture, customs, arts, festivals and folklore to the world. 2. When a subject is decided on, the staff of editors, writers, photographers and artists exchange opinions. 3. The Chinese edition of Echo was started in 1978.
From Left: Huang Yung-sung, now publisher and art director of the Chinese edition of Echo magazine. Linda Wu started publication of the English edition of Echo some 10 years ago. Special issues on Chinese children's games and toys have been received enthusiastically by readers.
1. 3. Yao Meng-chia, publisher of Echo magazine, in charge of the compilation of data and art work, specializes in photography. 2. Huang Yung-sung taking pictures of a fisherman arranging nets 4. From left: Huang Yung-sung, Linda Wu and Yao Meng-chia take part in the pilgrimage to Tachia to cover the story.
Staff of Echo during a hike to Wuchishan in Hsinchu.
When a subject is decided on, the staff of editors, writers, photographers and artists exchange opinions.
The Chinese edition of Echo was started in 1978.
Huang Yung-sung, now publisher and art director of the Chinese edition of Echo magazine.
Linda Wu started publication of the English edition of Echo some 10 years ago.
Special issues on Chinese children's games and toys have been received enthusiastically by readers.
Yao Meng-chia, publisher of Echo magazine, in charge of the compilation of data and art work, specializes in photography.
Huang Yung-sung taking pictures of a fisherman arranging nets.
Yao Meng-chia, publisher of Echo magazine, in charge of the compilation of data and art work, specializes in photography.
From left: Huang Yung-sung, Linda Wu and Yao Meng-chia take part in the pilgrimage to Tachia to cover the story.
Staff of Echo during a hike to Wuchishan in Hsinchu.
