Written & Image credit to NCKU News Center.
 

In celebration of National Cheng Kung University’s (NCKU) 95th anniversary, the NCKU Library presents the 9th edition of its signature "One Book, One World" exhibition, featuring Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel The Old Man and the Sea. In collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs’ "Connecting Hearts, Learning Emotions: 2026 Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Carnival,” the Library has created the "Life Comes in Waves" immersive experience zone. Bringing classic literature together with social and emotional learning, the exhibition invites faculty, students, and members of the public to explore Hemingway’s world and rediscover the enduring novel through themes of the sea, solitude, life, and struggle.
 

In celebration of National Cheng Kung University’s (NCKU) 95th anniversary, the NCKU Library presents the 9th “One Book, One World” themed book exhibition, centered on the American literary master Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel The Old Man and the Sea. The exhibition is held in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs’ “Heart to Heart · Learning Emotions”: 2026 SEL Social-Emotional Learning Carnival and its immersive experience zone titled “Life Comes in Waves”.
 

At the opening ceremony, NCKU Vice President Chen Yuh-Neu noted that life inevitably brings challenges and that what matters is learning to regain one’s balance amid its ups and downs. Referring to NCKU President Ma Che-ju’s observation that life is not always smooth sailing and that learning to overcome failure is what truly matters, she encouraged visitors to embrace both success and setbacks as essential parts of life. She also expressed the hope that people would visit the Library not only to seek answers but also to encounter meaningful questions and develop a deeper understanding of themselves, others, and the world through reading and reflection.
 

NCKU Library Director Li Wang-Long encourages everyone to read more books that warm the soul.
 

NCKU Library Director Li Wang-Long recalled a saying shared by one of his middle-school teachers: “Three days without reading can make a person dull in both mind and appearance.” He encouraged everyone to read books that enrich the mind and warm the heart, noting that our understanding of a book can change as we move through different stages of life. He also emphasized that knowledge deepens through consistent learning and that both successes and failures contribute to personal growth.
 

Hung Liang-Yi, Dean of Student Affairs, introduced the “Life Comes in Waves” static exhibition and immersive experience zone set up in the library, hoping it would help everyone achieve change from the inside out.
 

Hung Liang-Yi, Dean of Student Affairs, drew inspiration from The Old Man and the Sea and invited visitors to reflect on the fisherman’s struggle after 84 days without a catch: Would he finally catch a fish, and should he continue his pursuit? The old man’s perseverance in the face of uncertainty offers a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience. In support of the Ministry of Education’s promotion of social and emotional learning, the Office of Student Affairs has partnered with the Library to present the “Life Comes in Waves” exhibition and immersive experience zone. The initiative encourages participants to better understand and manage their emotions, helping them respond more thoughtfully to interpersonal conflicts and personal challenges.
 

Hemingway’s well-known works include The Old Man and the Sea, The Sun Also Rises, and For Whom the Bell Tolls, among others. These works reflect Hemingway’s insights into and exploration of human nature and life.
 

One of Hemingway’s best-known works, The Old Man and the Sea portrays a determined struggle against adversity and explores the human spirit in the face of hardship. Drawing on Hemingway’s life and literary legacy, the exhibition invites visitors to look beyond the surface of the story and explore its deeper meanings, including the layers of symbolism associated with Hemingway’s “iceberg theory.” Through selected quotations and reflective questions, visitors can connect the novel’s themes with their own experiences.
 

The NCKU Library hopes that through this series of activities, readers will step into Hemingway’s world and rediscover the enduring classic The Old Man and the Sea from the perspectives of the ocean, solitude, life, and confrontation.
 

Since 2017, the NCKU Library’s “One Book, One World” series has introduced readers to different worlds through literature. Each edition centers on a classic work of universal significance and features complementary activities such as lectures, film screenings, and workshops, creating opportunities for in-depth reading, reflection, and dialogue.
 

The exhibition is now open at the NCKU Main Library. Faculty, students, and members of the public are welcome to explore the exhibition, reflect on the connections between literature and social and emotional learning, and discover their own place of calm amid life’s waves.
 

More Event Information
NCKU Library 95th Anniversary and the 9th “One Book, One World” Exhibition: The Old Man and the Sea
“Connecting hearts, Learning Emotions”: 2026 SEL Social and Emotional Learning Carnival