Independent bookstore safeguarding “Taiwanese culture” falls on hard times

The rapid development of science and technology in electronics over recent years has catalyzed a sea change in the reading habits of the public; coupled with a trend towards bookstore chains, many independent bookstores are struggling to stay afloat in what has become a consumerist dog-eat-dog environment. Fortunately, however, there are still a number of independent bookstores in Taiwan courageously swimming against the tide and holding firm to their original intention and philosophy.

The immediate district surrounding National Taiwan University has always been home to a mixed bag of diverse cultural interests. As a consequence, many unique bookstores have sprung up in the vicinity, including one that especially focuses on promoting “Taiwanese culture.” The inspiration for the shop came many years ago while shop owner Wu Cheng-san (吳成三) was studying abroad in America. The experience of seeing how deeply the culture of democracy had taken root in the hearts and minds of American people made an indelible impression and him and on return home to Taiwan, he endeavored to find out more about his own culture. Discovering how incredibly difficult it was to find any literature from his native country left him with no doubt that his life’s mission would be to create a bookshop dedicated to Taiwanese culture.

以下為中文對照

隨著3C科技的高速發展，許多人的閱讀習慣也跟著大幅的轉變，再加上大型連鎖書店環伺的情景下，使得許多獨立書店的經營更加地艱難。但在台灣的各處仍有著一群不畏懼大環境的艱辛，勇敢堅持著他們的創辦初衷及理念的本土獨立書店。

台灣大學周邊一直是人文薈萃之處，因此也吸引了許多獨樹一幟的書店在此開設，其中有一間以宣揚「台灣文化」為主題的獨立書店。吳成三創立此獨立書店的契機源自於年輕時在美國求學，見識到美國民主文化是如何深植在人民的心中，他帶著這樣的經歷回到台灣後，發現要找到台灣本土文化相關的文獻資料並不容易，使他決定盡一己之力，為台灣這塊土地，點亮一盞宣揚「台灣本土文化」的燈火。