The challenge of heritage management for post national symbol: the dilemma of the Chungshan Great Hall’s adaptive reuse, Taiwan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Chungshan Great Hall, founded in 1965 under the request of President Chiang Kai-shek to commemorate the centenary of Dr Sun Yat-sen's birth, also for the reason to revive traditional Chinese culture. Until the end of 2005, this was the site of National Assembly meetings. Besides, the architecture serves as a location for hosting ceremonies by the President for state visits, conferences, receiving distinguished foreign guests or hosting state banquets and was off limits to the general public until 2005. The government has designated the Chungshan Great Hall as a historical monument. It was also on the first 20 of do_co, mo.mo_Taiwan's list, because of its significance on both architectural and historic value. In spite of its conveying as a strong national symbol in essence, the architectural work of the Chungshan Great Hall might be said to be a splendid combination and demonstration of traditional crafts and modern design. However, after the lifting of martial law, and the abolishment of the National Assembly, how to reuse the historic building with its difficult history became a paradox issue. Namely, how should we reuse it wisely and interpret the once national glory, without mentioning the authoritarian rule? How should we appreciate the beauty and magnificent of the architecture, yet forgetting the negative memory of White Terror? The article, by reviewing the long process of how the central and local government tried to find different methods to reuse the monument, dismantles the challenge and dilemma of the heritage management of this kind of architecture as a post-national symbol.