TiBE 台北國際書展 2025.2.4-9

The Taiwan Pavilion at the 2018 Frankfurt Book Fair opened to wide acclaim Oct. 10^th in the central German city. Organized by the Taipei Book Fair Foundation under the auspices of Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, this year’s pavilion marks the 30^th anniversary of Taiwan’s active participation in the world’s largest book show. Speaking to over 100 publishing professionals from around the world, Taiwan’s representative to Germany Jhy-Wey Shieh shed new light on the country’s continued involvement in the cultural event. “Make friends with Taiwan if you are passionate about books,” Shieh said, “as Taiwan is a place distinguished for its love of reading, enthusiasm for books, and freedom of the press.”

Boasting an area of 166 square meters, the pavilion—themed Open Taiwan—showcases a total of 934 latest titles by 115 publishers. The eye-catching design has won high praises from the likes of Frankfurter Buchmesse Vice President Holger Volland (who lauded it for highlighting the uniqueness of Taiwan), as well as the chief executive of Korean Publishers Association, Iroo Joo, who showed excitement at the pavilion’s wonderful features.

 

A slew of new friends and old partners showed up on the very first day and showed interest in Taiwan’s latest publications—especially notable among which is the translation of Membrane by this year’s recommended author Ta-Wei Chi. In addition to bringing his book to the show, Chi joined the other recommended author, Yu-Li Lin, in a talk Oct. 11^th on the International Stage, Hall 5.1 A128. The two lent an Asian opinion on gay literary history and European affair observations.

New additions in this year’s Taiwan Pavilion include the inaugural “Formosa Depictions,” which showcases a choice selection of titles on Taiwan’s distinctive cultural features. The traditional pastry confections such as pineapple cakes included in the gift bag for the opening ceremony were also widely praised. Eric Lee, president of the pastry house Jiu Zhen Nan, presented the company’s cookbook Han Bing (Han pastry) to Rep. Shieh at the event, echoing the Taiwan Pavilion’s longstanding efforts in connecting Taiwan with the world through books.

 

With the Frankfurt Book Fair celebrating its 70^th edition this year, both German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mamuka Bakhtadze (prime minister of this year’s guest of honor Georgia) attended the opening event on Oct. 9^th. As this year also marks the 70th anniversary of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ceremony brought notice to the salient value of freedom of the press and human rights in light of the current state of world affairs. “We have to fight to safeguard human rights every day,” said Heinrich Riethmuller, chairman of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, adding that the success of the book fair in last 70 years serves as a reminder of the significance of the UN’s human rights appeal.