TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —  The newly appointed director of the National Museum of History (NMH), Hung Shih-yu (洪世佑), said Tuesday (Nov. 12) his main priority will be attracting younger generations to the museum.

Hung hopes to turn first-time visitors into regular patrons. He said technology and other methods will bridge the gap between young people and traditional cultural spaces, per CNA.

Hung, who took office following the retirement of former director Wang Chang-hua (王長華) in July, acknowledged the challenges ahead. In a speech, he outlined his vision to expand the museum's reach, emphasizing that museums should be dynamic spaces for dialogue, not just repositories of history.

"Even the noblest ideals are meaningless without an audience to engage with them," Hung said, per Radio Taiwan International.

A key part of his plan includes increasing the number of exhibitions and collaborating with other museums. He stressed that the museum’s role is not merely to exalt history but to spark conversations.

“The younger generation, with their affinity for technology and gadgets, has become more distanced from museums,” Hung noted, referring to the growing influence of digital devices. Hung also highlighted space constraints at the NMH, particularly in the permanent exhibition area, which makes it difficult to showcase the museum’s vast collection.

The museum's artifacts primarily include pieces retrieved from the Henan Museum and items returned by Japan after World War II. Hung aims to use his remaining three years before retirement to solidify the museum’s foundation and expand its community engagement.

Culture Minister Li Yuan (李遠) expressed confidence in Hung's leadership ability, citing his extensive experience in museum management and his current role as acting chairperson of the Taiwan Museum Association.

Acting NMH Director Wang Yi-chun (王逸群), who served as interim director following Wang Chang-hua’s departure, will be succeeded by Hung in a smooth transition.