Taiwan Literature Base Introduction
The Taiwan Literature Base is located in the Japanese dormitory complex on Qidong Street, one of the few areas in Taiwan where historical buildings are well-preserved. It is also one of the first groups of Japanese dormitories to be preserved under the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. The area includes a designated historical monument and nine other historical buildings, which contain rich local stories and connections to the experiences of the citizens, highlighting the contemporary significance of revitalizing and reusing the remaining Japanese dormitory historical complexes in Taipei City. In the chessboard-like arrangement of downtown Taipei, Qidong Street stands out as a casually charming smile, drawing a line between Jinan Road and Zhongxiao East Road. Behind this smile lies a long history – over two hundred years ago during the Qing Dynasty, this place was an ancient road known as "Sanbanqiao Street," leading to Songshan and connecting to Keelung. At that time, it was filled with endless rice paddies and ponds. Between the irrigation ditches, rice fields, and ponds, Qidong Street emerged without a name, taking on the heavy responsibility of transporting essential goods such as rice and coal. During the Japanese colonial period from 1920 to 1940, the Governor-General’s Office gradually constructed Japanese civil servant dormitories here, which are now known as the Qidong Street Japanese Dormitory Complex. At the same time, various companies and factories began to gather in the area, and commercial activities thrived, leading to the establishment of the "Chengdong Society," which frequently hosted community lectures, drama appreciation, performance appreciation, and film appreciation events, creating a vibrant cultural experience at that time. After the war, the government continued to use this area as a dormitory for central government officials, and Major General Wang Shuming, then Vice Commander of the Air Force, resided at No. 27, Section 2, Jinan Road, until his departure from the official residence in 1992. This Japanese old house was marked as the "General's Residence." After 2000, due to its location in the city center and the rapid urban development, the Japanese dormitories faced the fate of demolition. Fortunately, local residents of Xingfu Li, recognizing the value of the architectural complex, old trees, and environment, formed the "Qidong Literary and Historical Workshop" in 2002. With the efforts of residents and experts, they facilitated the preservation of the adjacent nine connected Japanese dormitory historical buildings, which are considered "an important and priceless cultural heritage for the citizens of Taipei City." As urban development continued, new houses, schools, and factories were established, "Sanbanqiao Street" gradually disappeared from the map, leaving only a gentle arc between Jinan Road and Zhongxiao East Road as a reminder of its previous existence. In 2011, the Ministry of Culture commissioned the Taipei City Government's Cultural Affairs Bureau to repair the Qidong Street Japanese Dormitories (No. 25 and 27, Section 2, Jinan Road) and named this historical building "Qidong Poetry House." In July 2014, the National Taiwan Museum of Literature began managing, planning exhibitions, and promoting literary activities. With the restoration of five historical buildings in Lane 53, Qidong Street completed, the "Taiwan Literature Base," dedicated to innovation and cultural heritage, officially opened in 2021! (Source: Taiwan Literature Base official website)
