SüRüM Bookstore (Version Bookstore)

SüRüM Bookstore (Version Bookstore) was founded by Dr. Hsieh Wan-Ting, who has dedicated many years to palliative care. In October 2023, it began to organically grow and flourish in its unique form. SüRüM Bookstore emerged in response to the issues of social isolation in super-aged and civilized societies. It starts from the understanding of death—a topic that, due to cultural contexts, has historically been difficult to bravely address and deepen. Moving forward along the axis of life and outward from the dimension of life, it extends to promoting the knowledge of 'living well and living fully.' This requires an unprecedented platform that can rise at the limits of existing systems to connect with the world, and honestly confront the textures of life, exploring vulnerability inward and advocating solidarity outward—these are the two major challenges of modern life care philosophy and politics. SüRüM Bookstore reinterprets the core issue orientation of independent bookstores: it doesn't set a core but calibrates with a compass, heading straight for the human heart. The path of its voyage is anchored by universal humanity and the human condition. Ripples from this anchor point serve as the context for book selection and the guiding vision for its activities. Throughout the year, the reading, interviews, reports, photography, and videography conducted at SüRüM Bookstore have been rich and varied. However, none have been able to fully capture what the 'version' should be and what it actually is, making it delightful how well the bookstore embodies the name it found for itself—playfully responding to each visitor with different 'versions,' and diligently presenting a unique 'version' for every encounter. SüRüM Bookstore preserves the original appearance of a sixty-year-old house within a former US military dormitory complex in an alley in Tainan's North District. After renovation, the perimeter wall was lowered to implement the concept of intergenerational living and exchange within a symbiotic community. It also boasts a rare urban garden, echoing the concept of holistic care for body, mind, society, and spirit, where heaven, humanity, self, and objects are unified. In the courtyard, a native starfruit tree, familiar to the neighborhood, remains, allowing visitors to share the joy of fruit picking while fostering intimate exchanges that are both rehabilitative and empowering. Inside the bookstore, there is a traditional plank boat carving by the late amateur sculptor Elder Hsieh Chia-Shui, who accompanied the founder during her medical service in Orchid Island. This piece serves to convey the idea of life's flow. SüRüM Bookstore focuses on death literacy, spiritual care, and human existence. It uses books to carry life, with new books on contemporary social issues as its main sales focus, connecting platforms, reading, and people. It aspires to be Taiwan's primary advocate, educator, dialogue facilitator, and international connector for life care and death literacy. SüRüM Bookstore takes the 'Compassionate City Charter' as its spiritual foundation, aiming to become a national leader and promotional base. In 2024, the bookstore was delighted to be the sole global recipient of Denmark's GDA Care Design Award. The award citation stated: 'This Taiwanese project, titled 'No Big Deal to Die Well,' advocates for 'citizen palliative care,' emphasizing society's moral responsibility to stand with those facing the end of life—in other words, those very close to the endpoint of death. However, death is a natural process, a legacy of values and social 'qi' (spirit). This project demonstrates a profound understanding across generations, making it a deserving winner.'