The 2017 Taipei International Book Exhibition kicks off at the Taipei World Trade Center with the theme “Share the Joy of Reading,” presenting the newest development in Taiwan’s reading environment. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, the exhibition hopes to prompt more ideas and exchange of knowledge through books.
Guest of honor Vice President Chen Chien-jen was invited to award book prizes at the opening ceremony. As a scientist, Vice-President Chen had previously published several textbooks. He noted that the happiest thing from his childhood was reading. Thanks to a father who loved reading, the heaviest furniture to carry every time they moved were bookshelves. Also, his daughter’s career development has been deeply influenced by books.
The 2017 Taipei International Book Exhibition has attracted 621 publishers from 59 countries, with the number of booths increasing by 10% this year. It has also seen more active licensing deals than last year.
The six-day Taipei International Book Exhibition has extended its opening hours to the late evening for the first time this year. It is expected to receive more than 600,000 visitors to share the joy of reading.