The National Museum of Taiwan Literature (NMTL), founded in 2003 in the city of Tainan, is Taiwan’s designated organisation to promote the literary arts on the island.

The museum is set in the grand historic building that originally housed the Tainan Prefectural Government. It was completed in 1916. Like many Meiji-era architects, the celebrated Japanese architect Moriyama Matsunosuke drew on European revivalist style in his design. The building was damaged during the Second World War and suffered decades of neglect. It was not until 1997 that restoration work began. Reopened in 2003, the building is now a focal point of literary culture and activity. It is also a fine example of successful revitalisation of Taiwan’s historical buildings.

The NMTL collects, organises and interprets Taiwan’s rich literary heritage. Archives and displays reflect the diverse ethnicities of the island. They also chronicle Taiwan’s history, ranging from the Dutch colonial period, through the Chinese Ming/Koxinga and Qing dynasties, to the Japanese colonisation and the complex twenty-first century. With a view to promoting awareness of Taiwan’s literary arts, the museum devotes much of its energy to education. It regularly holds themed educational events and activities – talks, conferences, interactive exhibitions – to increase awareness of Taiwan’s literary traditions. As an exhibition and education venue, the museum also provides family-friendly reading facilities, including a reading room that enhances the literary experience.

The NMTL also works in close association with schools and educational institutions across all levels and throughout the country to promote literature. The museum’s website is ...