Zhong Lihe Residence Introduction
Zhong Lihe was born in 1915 in the Guangxing Village of Gaoshu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan. He received classical Chinese education at a young age and gradually ventured into the literary world. His works profoundly depict the dignity and living conditions of grassroots citizens, making him a highly influential Hakka writer in the history of Taiwanese literature. The Zhong Lihe Memorial House is where he lived until the age of eighteen. It is a traditional Sanheyuan (three-section courtyard) structure typically owned by wealthier families at that time. Entering the memorial house, one can feel Zhong Lihe's love and passion for humanity from the bricks and furnishings inside. After the birth of his eldest son, Zhong started engaging in creative writing and translation, and his works often reflect deep insights into the dignity and living conditions of ordinary people, such as "The Sadness of Sweet Potatoes," "Mountain Fire," "Zhutou Village," "In-laws and Mountain Songs," "Uncle Ah Huang," "Ah Yuan," "On the Grass Slope," and "The Old Woodcutter." His works have won multiple awards, such as the second prize of the National Literary Award for his novel "Lishan Farm" and an honorable mention in Hong Kong's "Asian Review" for "Tobacco House." His contributions to literature earned him the title of "Father of Modern Taiwanese Literature." The once dilapidated Zhong Lihe Memorial House has been restored to its former glory. The front yard is enclosed with red brick walls, and the roof features a swan-neck design. A century-old osmanthus tree in the courtyard emits a fragrant aroma during its blooming season. Notably, the water tank in front of the house was a vital resource for the village. Given the generally difficult living conditions, on water supply days, villagers of all ages would come here with buckets to fetch water, highlighting the importance of this water tank.
