Kishuan Literature Forest

The Department of Cultural Affairs of the Taipei City Government established 'Kishuan New Hall' at the end of Tong'an Street as Taipei City's first specialized literary and arts space. Since June 2011, it has been entrusted to the Taiwan Literature Development Foundation for operation. Named 'Kishuan Literature Forest,' Kishuan New Hall, in conjunction with the Chengnan (South City) Literature Park, offers readers a comfortable and pleasant space where literary enthusiasts can read, write, drink tea, sip coffee, and converse with like-minded individuals, both indoors and outdoors. Readers and book enthusiasts can also have unexpected encounters with their favorite writers, critics, and publishers here. During the Japanese colonial period, the historic 'Kishuan' building served as a Japanese ryotei (restaurant). After the war, it was transformed into residences for civil servants and teachers' families. Located in Chengnan (South City), its influence radiated outwards, encompassing the nearby Tong'an, Xiamen, Kinmen, and Guling Streets, and extending to the National Taiwan Normal University and National Taiwan University districts. It is a pivotal site in the history of post-war Taiwanese literary development. It was the birthplace of literary groups such as the 'Blue Star Poetry Society' and magazines including 'Literature Magazine,' 'Modern Literature,' 'Grassland,' and 'University.' It was also associated with literary and artistic institutions like the 'Chinese Writers' & Artists' Association' and 'Mandarin Daily News,' as well as publishers such as Pure Literature, Hongfan, Erya, and Yuan-Liou. Writers including Lin Hai-yin, Lin Liang, Yu Kwang-chung, Wang Wen-hsing, and Yin Di all pursued and expanded their literary ideals here. Therefore, in the future, it is hoped that 'Kishuan' and 'Kishuan New Hall' will serve as the core and starting point to recreate and showcase the historical context and treasures of literature.