“Mountain-climbing legend” Li Xiaoshi tragically lost his life while attempting to summit Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak. Today, Chiayi County Government held a memorial exhibition and awarded him an honorary county resident certificate in recognition of his cultural contributions and mountaineering achievements.
The opening ceremony of the Li Xiaoshi Memorial Exhibition was held this morning at Meiling Art Museum. Deputy Magistrate Lin Meizhu, along with Li Xiaoshi’s wife Lin Qingqing, eldest son Li Yao, and other family members, jointly participated in the installation artwork “The Moment We Were in the Clouds” within the exhibition space, expressing remembrance and blessings through candlelight.
Chiayi County Magistrate Chang Hua-kuan, who had originally planned to present the honorary county resident certificate in person, was instead represented by Lin Meizhu as she accompanied President Ma Ying-jeou on an inspection trip to Alishan. The certificate was accepted by Li Xiaoshi’s widow, Lin Qingqing.
Lin Meizhu said that although Li Xiaoshi was from Matsu, he had long resided in Chiayi County and was the son-in-law of Puzi. Throughout his life, he had a deep love for art and a passion for mountain climbing, embodying the down-to-earth, hardworking, striving, and forward-looking spirit of the people of Chiayi.
Lin Qingqing expressed gratitude to relatives, friends, and Chiayi County Government for organizing the memorial exhibition. She spoke emotionally about her husband’s passion for mountaineering and shared various memories. Li Xiaoshi’s eldest son, Li Yao, performed a self-composed guitar piece titled “Hearing You’ve Gone Far,” expressing his longing for his father.
Li Yao said, “Father now lies on Lhotse Peak. On the surface, he may seem carefree, but is he lonely? I really want to climb up there to be with him, but I can never make it.” His heartfelt expression of love and remembrance for his father moved the audience deeply.
The county government stated that after Li Xiaoshi successfully summited Mount Everest in 2009 and returned to Taiwan, he had previously exhibited a series of high-altitude photography and calligraphy works at Meiling Art Museum, which received widespread acclaim. This memorial exhibition not only honors Li Xiaoshi’s achievements but also aims to showcase the legendary story of the mountaineering legend through his artworks.
The Li Xiaoshi Memorial Exhibition will be on display from today until September 15, featuring over 200 pieces including calligraphy and painting works, photographs of Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks, Everest photography, Kanchenjunga photography, Manaslu photography, and Lhotse photography. These works comprehensively present Li Xiaoshi’s creative journey and mountaineering experiences. 1020803
(CNA)