TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE, 台北國際書展) opened on Tuesday (Feb. 4), inviting the public to revel in the joy of reading under the theme "Follow Your Fancy in Reading" (閱讀異世界). Organizers have arranged eight thematic pavilions, including a children's book area, a digital learning zone, and a civic reading section, to enhance the visitor experience.
The Taipei Book Fair Foundation (台北書展基金會) reported that 509 publishers from within Taiwan and abroad participated in 2024, with attendance reaching 550,000 over six days, marking a 9% increase from 2023. Publishers saw significant growth in sales, fueling expectations for even higher demand this year.
Continuing last year's policies, young attendees can use cultural tokens to purchase tickets and offset book costs, with eligibility expanded to ages 13-15. This initiative aims to spark another wave of book buying among the youth. With over 1,162 reading activities last year, the exhibition has evolved into a grand reading forum, transcending its roots as a mere book fair.
Avid readers flock to the exhibition for celebrity appearances. Internationally acclaimed Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto will engage in a dialogue with host and bestselling author Kevin Tsai (蔡康永) on Thursday. Meanwhile, cartoonist Chu Te-yung (朱德庸) will launch his new work on Sunday, marking his return after six years.
The exhibition also highlights AI technology, with discussions on AI's impact on literature and an AI-human collaboration exhibit. Political discussions include Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu's (吳志中) participation in a forum on post-war Taiwan-U.S. relations and a panel analyzing South Korea's political landscape.