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National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
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Coordinates: 25°2′4″N, 121°31′18″E
The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (traditional Chinese: 國立中正紀念堂; simplified Chinese: 国立中正纪念堂) is a monument erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China in Taipei, Taiwan. A new name for the structure, National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall (traditional Chinese: 國立台灣民主紀念館; simplified Chinese: 国立台湾民主纪念馆),[1] was announced by President Chen Shui-bian on 19 May 2007. In subsequent legal wrangling, [2] the legislature repealed the organic regulations supporting the new name in a partisan vote. In effect this annulled the change, though opposition legislators generally declined to declare the old name restored.[3] In Taiwan "Memorial Hall" usually suffices as the practical shorthand designation in English.
The monument, surrounded by a park, stands at the east end of Liberty Square. The structure is framed on the north and south by the National Theater and National Concert Hall. The entire plaza is located within sight of the Presidential Office Building.
Development
After President Chiang Kai-shek died on 5 April 1975, the Executive Yuan of Taiwan's government established a Funeral Committee to build a memorial. The design, by architect Yang Cho-cheng, was chosen in a competition. Yang's design incorporated many elements of traditional Chinese architecture recalling the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, China. (The Kuomintang revered Dr. Sun as founder of the party and government Chiang had led.) Groundbreaking for the memorial took place on 31 October 1976, the 90th anniversary of Chiang's birth. The hall officially opened on 5 May 1980, the fifth anniversary of the leader's death.
A pond near the main building, which is visible through the trees.
Yang's design placed the main building at the east end of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park (traditional Chinese: 中正公園; simplified Chinese: 中正公园), covering over 240,000 square metres in Zhongzheng District. A main gate, the Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness (Chinese: 大中至正) was placed at the west end on Chung Shan South Road, with a Gate of Great Loyalty (traditional Chinese: 大忠門; simplified Chinese: 大忠门) standing at the north side on Hsin Yi (Xinyi) Road and a Gate of Great Piety (traditional Chinese: 大孝門; simplified Chinese: 大孝门) standing at the south side on Ai Kuo (Aiguo) East Road. A Boulevard of Homage, bordered by manicured bushes, connected the main hall with the square.
Taiwan's move to democracy since the 1990s has inspired efforts by national government leaders to rename the hall and complex. In 2007 the Executive Yuan announced that the park would be renamed "Taiwan Democracy Park" (traditional Chinese: 臺灣民主公園). The inscription on the main gate was changed to Liberty Square (traditional Chinese: 自由廣場). For details of the renaming moves and surrounding controversy, see "Renaming process" below.
Memorial Hall
The main vault of the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall contains a statue of Chiang Kai-shek. It was under guard during daytime. The guards were removed when President Chen Shui-bian reopened the memorial hall on January 1, 2008.
The main building is white with four sides. The octagonal roof rises 70 meters above the ground and is covered with blue glazed glass tiles. The blue and white colors of the building and the red colour of the flowerbeds echo the colours in the flag of the Republic of China. The octagonal shape picks up the symbolism of the number 8, a number traditionally associated in Asia with abundance and good fortune.
Two sets of white stairs, each with 89 steps to represent Chiang's age at the time of his death, lead to the main entrance. The main entrance features a pair of double doors, each standing 16 meters high and weighing 75 tons, that open into the main hall. A large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek dominates the main hall. The figure is shown smiling, seated and wearing traditional Chinese dress. Inscribed on the wall above and behind the seated figure are the Chinese characters for Ethics, Democracy, and Science. Inscriptions on the side walls read The purpose of life is to improve the general life of humanity and The meaning of life is to create and sustain subsequent lives in the universe. An elaborate caisson is set into the ceiling, decorated with the emblem of the Republic of China. Representatives of Taiwan's armed forces guarded the main hall during its open hours. (The branch of service represented changes periodically according to a rotating schedule.) Guards were changed in an elaborate ritual that attracts visitors.
The ground level of the memorial houses a library and museum documenting Chiang Kai-shek's life and career and exhibits related to Taiwan's history and development.
Renaming of the Memorial Hall
Side view shortly after the renaming ceremony in May 2007.
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The renaming of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall (traditional Chinese: 國立台灣民主紀念館; simplified Chinese: 国立台湾民主纪念馆),[4] was unilaterally announced by President Chen Shui-bian on 19 May 2007, that subsequently resulted in controversial physical changes made to the monument.
In subsequent legal wrangling, [5] the legislature repealed the organic regulations supporting the new name in a partisan vote. In effect this annulled the change, though opposition legislators generally declined to declare the old name restored.[3]
KMT candidate Ma Ying-jeou was elected the 12th President of the Republic of China on March 22, 2008.[6] Ma had earlier pledged to restore the name of CKS Memorial Hall, the original hall contents (flags and guards), and the inscription on both the central gate and door.[7] President Ma took office on May 20. In an interview after his election, Ma Ying-jeou said that the "illegal" renaming was "violent" and "of course, ineffective". He promised to conduct wide public consultation regarding the names of the main gate and Memorial Hall, before acting according to law to either restore the old name or complete any re-naming processes.[8]
See also
Notes
References
External links
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