Taiwan's Government Information Office (GIO), in order to encourage the media, sponsors three awards ceremonies each year. The Golden Bell covers the film industry, the Golden Horse covers television and the Golden Tripod the publishing industry. The awards are very much coveted among the various professions, and to receive one of them is a great honor.
As far as the general public is concerned, however, the Golden Horse and Golden Bell awards are much more popular, mainly because the winners are movie and television personalities, and, therefore, are famous. The winners of the Golden Tripod are, on the other hand, much less well-known to the public, perhaps because reading books is not yet as popular as watching television in this country.
Because of this, the GIO has, since the Golden Tripod's inception eight years ago, continuously been trying to encourage more people to take an active interest in the Golden Tripod. Since 1981, the awards have been broadcast on television in an effort to further honor the recipients of the awards and to familiarize the people with the importance of the awards. In 1982, cash prizes were initiated as an encouragement to the people in this field. The organizers used an even different strategy in 1983 to increase the amount of participation. In addition to the awards ceremony, they sponsored "Reading Week," an exhibition of books, which was both a lively and warm experience. It was very well-received even before it began.
"Reading Week" took place from December 17-24, 1983. In all, 381 publishers with over 50,000 volumes were represented. The exhibition included daily lectures, and the postal service issued commemorative stamps. The exhibition was very well-attended; the first day over 30,000 people attended and the second day more than 50,000 people took part. The exhibition hall was so full that the number of people admitted had to be limited. All books were offered to the visitors at a 30 percent discount.
The organizers did something very unique and unprecedented. Whereas in the past, all such exhibitions were organized according to publishing houses, this was arranged according to subject matter, such as natural science, philosophy and children's books, etc. Also, in an attempt to make it less like a market place, and thus more conducive to reading, readers who wanted to purchase a book took the number of the book to the service desk and ordered it to be sent to their homes, rather than buying it at the individual booths.
The hall was also specially designed to be conducive to reading. The children's area, for example, was made very low and wide to appeal to young readers. Because of the care that went into the setting, people could enjoy the books even more. Despite the liveliness of the crowded hall, people could still be seen standing, sitting or leaning on a wall, lost in the world of that special book, far removed from the outside world.
The GIO also printed a catalog of books for the exhibition, but because of the huge demand on the first day, they had to be rationed out in a limited amount each day. Many people lined up for hours to get one, and some never did. This was one of the biggest problems of the week. Despite a few problems, though, the "Reading Week" was very successful.
The Golden Tripod Awards ceremony also differs from the other award ceremonies. Unlike the Golden Horse and Golden Bell awards ceremonies, the Golden Tripod ceremony lacks the fame and beauty of the stars, and the stage is not as fancy. The atmosphere also lacks much of the excitement because the Winners are made public before the ceremony. This advance notice, though, had a great advantage at the 1983 ceremony, which took place on December 21, in that the recipients came with very well-prepared remarks which made the awards all the more interesting.
After speeches by the heads of the GIO and the Executive Yuan, Dr. James C.Y. Soong and Premier Sun Yun-suan, respectively, which encouraged both the publishing industry and the general interest of reading, the awards were presented in four categories: books, news, magazines and recordings.
The organizers of the 1983 Golden Tripod Awards worked very hard to plan not only the awards ceremony, but also all the other activities. Because of this, the Golden Tripod Awards met with a great deal of enthusiasm and created interest where it had not been before.
[Picture Caption]
1. This year's Golden Tripod publishing awards ceremony utilized a multi-media approach to highlight the evening's winners. 2. Many noted public figures and celebrities attended the ceremonies, either as guests or award presenters. (From left to right): Government Information Office Director Dr. James C.Y. Soong and his wife, Premier Sun Yun-suan, Minister Li and noted publisher Ma Hsing-yeh. 3. Premier Sun urged the publishing industry to continue upgrading its standards. 4. Yung Jen junior high school students perform a fan dance.
Winners of the Library Editor and Translator awards: (1) Liu Dai and (2) Hsu Po-hsiung. Both returned from the United States in order to accept their Golden Tripod awards. 3. Chang Hsiao-feng accepted the Children's Literature award, saying that "buying books is an investment in the future; hence, our children must start early." 4. A performance by the Lan Yang Dance Company, "The Imperial Examination." 5. A multi-media presentation of the award-winning book "The Letterbox." 6. A performance by the Han Sheng Dance Troupe, "Happy Chinese Holidays." 7. Famed photographer Lang Ching-shan presents Golden Tripod award. 8. Winner of the News Commentary award, Yang Nai-fan, advises people "to look around at what's happening in the world." 9. News Editor award winner Cha Jen-chien says he was "proud to work for the United Daily News (a Taipei newspaper)." That night the United Daily News was proud to have him working for the paper. 10. Arts Column award winner Liu Ching-hsuan commented, "I love to write. Although the road is often long, lonely, and hard, writing is my lifetime work."
1. Minister K.T. Li (left) attends the ceremonies. 2. A performance by the Han Sheng Dance Troupe. 3. Magazine graphics award winner Huang Tian-ching. 4. Lyricist Teng Yu-ping presents this year's Best Song Lyrics award to Hsu Hei-pi. 5. Ku Pao-ming (left) and Li Kuo-hsiu (right) perform a skit to caution people against copyright pirating. 6. Pan Yue-yun, winner of the Best Record award, performs "Everyday Blue Skies."
1. The Government Information Office organized a book exhibition in conjunction with the Golden Tripod awards. It also prepared a complimentary exhibition catalog. 2. Long lines of persons waited every day outside the exhibition hall. 3. Inside the book exhibition, people browsed with avid interest.
2. Many noted public figures and celebrities attended the ceremonies, either as guests or award presenters. （From left to right）: Government Information Office Director Dr. James C.Y. Soong and his wife, Premier Sun Yun-suan, Minister Li and noted publisher Ma Hsing-yeh.
4. Yung Jen junior high school students perform a fan dance.
Winners of the Library Editor and Translator awards: （1） Liu Dai and.
2） Hsu Po-hsiung. Both returned from the United States in order to accept their Golden Tripod awards.
3. Chang Hsiao-feng accepted the Children's Literature award, saying that "buying books is an investment in the future; hence, our children must start early.".
4. A performance by the Lan Yang Dance Company, "The Imperial Examination.".
5. A multi-media presentation of the award-winning book "The Letterbox.".
6. A performance by the Han Sheng Dance Troupe, "Happy Chinese Holidays.
7. Famed photographer Lang Ching-shan presents Golden Tripod award.
8. Winner of the News Commentary award, Yang Nai-fan, advises people "to look around at what's happening in the world.".
9. News Editor award winner Cha Jen-chien says he was "proud to work for the United Daily News （a Taipei newspaper）." That night the United Daily News was proud to have him working for the paper.
10. Arts Column award winner Liu Ching-hsuan commented, "I love to write. Although the road is often long, lonely, and hard, writing is my lifetime work.".
1. Minister K.T. Li （left） attends the ceremonies.
2. A performance by the Han Sheng Dance Troupe.
3. Magazine graphics award winner Huang Tian-ching.
4. Lyricist Teng Yu-ping presents this year's Best Song Lyrics award to Hsu Hei-pi.
5. Ku Pao-ming （left） and Li Kuo-hsiu （right） perform a skit to caution people against copyright pirating.
6. Pan Yue-yun, winner of the Best Record award, performs "Everyday Blue Skies.".
1. The Government Information Office organized a book exhibition in conjunction with the Golden Tripod awards. It also prepared a complimentary exhibition catalog.
2. Long lines of persons waited every day outside the exhibition hall.
3. Inside the book exhibition, people browsed with avid interest.
