London: Taiwan Culture Minister Li Yuan underscored the rising global recognition of Taiwanese literature during a forum held in London, where the International Booker Prize-winning "Taiwan Travelogue" was celebrated.
According to Focus Taiwan, Minister Li addressed the "Taiwanese Literature Through a Global Gaze" forum at King's College London, emphasizing the diverse perspectives explored by Taiwanese authors. As a post-World War II writer, Li has often contemplated the essence of Taiwan, a question Taiwanese writers have examined through themes such as ecology, history, Indigenous identity, queer literature, and local communities.
Highlighting the international acclaim for "Taiwan Travelogue" by Yang Shuang-zi, which clinched the 2026 International Booker Prize, Li remarked on the unique opportunity it presents for Taiwanese literature. "This is a very good time. The world can finally see Taiwan," he stated.
Natasha Brown, who chaired the judging panel for the 2026 International Booker Prize, shared that the judges evaluated approximately 130 translated works globally. She expressed her conviction that "Taiwan Travelogue" was destined to win, praising the novel's writing and translation for making cultural references accessible and engaging for English-speaking audiences.
Li also touched upon the complexities of Taiwanese identity, noting the ongoing debate over Taiwan's status and expressing hope that literature and dialogue could address these tensions.
The forum attracted over 100 attendees and featured contributions from Irish poet and critic John McAuliffe and Anna Goode, managing director of the British Centre for Literary Translation.
During his visit to London, Minister Li also explored the Victoria and Albert Museum's VandA East Storehouse, which opened to the public in May 2025. He described the museum's approach as "a revolution in museums," offering inspiration for Taiwan's plans for a joint storage facility for cultural collections.
Li's European tour commenced on Sunday, with plans to visit France before returning to Taiwan on Sept. 16, as stated by the Ministry of Culture.