Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

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The Memorial Hall

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (traditional Chinese: 國立中正紀念堂) 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),^[1] was unilaterally 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 In subsequent legal wrangling, ^[2] the legislature repealed the organic regulations supporting the new name in a partisan vote.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.

1 Development
2 Memorial park
3 Memorial hall
4 Renaming of the Memorial Hall
5 See also
6 Notes
7 References
8 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] Memorial park

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), covering over 240,000 square metres in Zhongzheng District. A main gate, the Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness (traditional 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) 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. As part of the central government's moves to rename the hall and complex, it has announced that the park would be renamed "Taiwan Democracy Park" (traditional Chinese: 臺灣民主公園). The inscription on the main gate has been changed to Liberty Square (traditional Chinese: 自由廣場). For details of the renaming moves and surrounding controversy, see "Renaming process" below.

Memorial Square is flanked by the National Concert Hall on the north and the National Theater on the south. These cultural centers provide a backdrop to events on the square even as they host over 800 events annually.

The square has been the site of a number of mass gatherings in Taiwan. The Wild Lily student demonstration of 1990 took place at the square. The square is the site of red-carpet ceremonies when Taiwan's leaders greet foreign dignitaries. Crowds gather at the square throughout the year for festivals and outdoor concerts. Every year the Taipei Lantern Festival takes place on the square. Huge lantern floats are arrayed around a central lantern featuring the Chinese Zodiac animal for that year. On normal days it is common to see students, athletes and soldiers working on drills and dance routines.

The ponds and parks surrounding the memorial and cultural centers feature well-maintained lawns, trees, and pathways. The ponds are filled with the colourful koi traditionally found in gardens in East Asia. One often sees people in the parks playing Go or practicing taekwondo, Tai chi chuan and other martial arts.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Renaming of the Memorial Hall

Side view shortly after the renaming ceremony in May 2007.

Main article: Renaming of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

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),^[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] With Ma Ying-jeou's election as the 12th term President of the Republic of China, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is expected to be restored to its original name, inscription, and original purpose as a hall to commemorate the late President of the Republic of China.^[6]^{[dubious – discuss]}