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Memorial service for historian draws 1,200 to Taipei
HONORED ACADEMIC: Former Academia Historica president Chang Yen-hsien was acclaimed for his work preserving the nation’s history at the institution
By Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNA
Lin Hsiu-lee, right, receives relatives and friends in Taipei yesterday at a memorial service for her husband, former Academia Historica president Chang Yen-hsien.
Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
A number of prominent members of the pan-green camp attended a memorial service for former Academia Historica president Chang Yen-hsien (張炎憲) yesterday at Taipei’s Shuang Lien Church (雙連教會), expressing their condolences at his sudden passing and affirming Chang’s contribution to the preservation of Taiwan’s history.
Chang died earlier this month at age 67 after a myocardial infarction while visiting the US for interviews on an oral history compilation covering the 228 Massacre.
Aside from pan-green political heavyweights, at least 1,200 members of the public also attended the memorial, far exceeding the original space offered on the 10th floor, prompting organizers to open the ninth, eighth and seventh floors to accommodate the visitors.
Chang had a great passion for Taiwan and was the earliest known promoter of local oral histories, as well as being the first to push for preserving Taiwanese history in the Academia Historica and protecting history from governmental alterations, former Democratic Progressive Party chairman Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said, adding that Chang’s efforts allowed people to learn what happened in the nation over time.
National Taiwan University honorary professor Lee Hung-hsi (李鴻禧) said his old friend had made the nation’s future his lifelong concern, and had contributed greatly to the democratic rule and maintenance of human rights in Taiwan during his eight years as president of Academia Historica.
The memorial service was arranged for Chang’s friends and students in the nation, as a memorial service for the family was held in the US on Oct 7.
source: Taipei Times
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