The Memorial Foundation of 228 announced a series of commemorative activities marking the 78th anniversary of the February 28, 1947 tragedy. The foundation will hold central memorial ceremonies, themed exhibitions, and themed artistic performances to remind citizens of historical lessons while pursuing peace, transitional justice, and social reconciliation.
Foundation Chairman Hsueh Hua-yuan (薛化元) emphasized during a press conference held on Friday that “traditional justice fears time and historical lessons are being forgotten.” This year’s expanded activities will include art exhibitions in Nantou, Yilan, Changhua, and Chiayi counties, along with 12 educational lectures scheduled between March and April. Additionally, the foundation will promote a campaign encouraging people to wear lily badges to raise awareness.
Hsueh says that commemorating 228 is about healing the historical wounds of victims and their families, but most importantly, it is about learning from history and preventing such tragedies from recurring. He also highlighted challenges in pursuing transitional justice, noting that despite the foundation's limited resources for comprehensive investigations, they hope related institutions like the Academia Historica and the National Human Rights Museum will collaborate in uncovering historical truths.
Deputy Minister of Culture Lee Ching-hwi (李靜慧) announced the exhibition "Silenced Pages: Censorship and the Fight for Freedom of Expression in Taiwan" in partnership with the National Museum of Taiwan Literature. Alongside the main ceremony on February 28, a "Coexistence Music Festival" will be held on Ketagalan Boulevard at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Festival Director Wang Chia-peng (王家芃) described it as a youth-led commemoration designed to preserve this painful yet crucial chapter of Taiwan's modern history through approaches that resonate with younger generations.