Taiwanese poet's legacy celebrated with foundation launch and traditional banquet

The "Tsai Chi-lan Taiwanese Literature Foundation" will officially launch on September 6th, aiming to carry forward the spirit of the late Taiwanese poet Tsai Chi-lan, who passed away in April. His family established the foundation to honor his lifelong dedication to Taiwanese literature, cultural promotion, and education.

The foundation's inauguration will take place at "Chilan Garden," a place where Tsai Chi-lan lived, created, and interacted with fellow writers. Following the poet's wishes, a traditional Taiwanese banquet will be held to commemorate the second edition of his memoir, "Tsai Chi-lan's 80 Memoirs."

Tsai Chi-lan, who wrote under the pen name "Lu Erh Men Fisherman," was a prolific writer, particularly known for his seven-character Taiwanese poetry. He actively participated in Taiwanese literary and cultural events, using his writing to document the land, society, and life. "Chilan Garden" served as a hub for literary exchange, hosting poets, writers, and cultural figures from across Taiwan.

His daughter, Tsai Yi-ru, who will serve as the foundation's executive director, stated that the foundation's core mission is "cultural inheritance, educational promotion, and public welfare." Beyond preserving Tsai Chi-lan's works and documents, the foundation plans to develop educational programs, publications, lectures, workshops, and cultural exchanges. They also aim to revitalize "Chilan Garden" into a dedicated space for Taiwanese literature archives, reading, research, and promotion.

The memorial banquet is a fulfillment of Tsai Chi-lan's own desire to host a book launch in the traditional Taiwanese banquet style, inviting his long-time friends and literary colleagues. Although he could not be present, his family is honoring his wish to reunite friends and celebrate his literary contributions.

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The foundation's core mission is 'cultural inheritance, educational promotion, and public welfare.'