The Polish Book Institute

“Poland is always where the Polish spirit is, and this spirit is infused in Polish literature," said Dariusz Jaworski, Director of the Book Institute, at the opening of the International Book Exhibition in Taipei. This is the first time that Poland is the guest of honour at the event.

The Taipei International Book Exhibition TIBE, one of the most important events of its kind in the Far East, began in Taiwan's capital Taipei on Tuesday. Poland appears there as the guest of honour. It will be an opportunity to promote not only Polish literature, but also culture. The fair will last until 5 February.

Director Jaworski thanked, on behalf of the Book Institute, for inviting our country as guest of honour to participate in the prestigious Taipei International Book Exhibition. He emphasised that "Poland is a fascinating country". "A country that has always built its identity of over a thousand years on truth, love, faith, and freedom," he pointed out.

He noted that "part of this identity is our culture – the spiritual and the material". "It was shaped by such eminent figures as Nicolaus Copernicus, Frederic Chopin, and Pope John Paul II. It has also been shaped by eminent writers and poets," the Book Institute director recalled.

“We are therefore delighted to be able to present the wealth of Polish literature - prose, poetry, non-fiction, comics and children's literature - at a special guest of honour stand right here in Taipei. You will meet fascinating wordsmiths, book illustrators, and publishers; you will be invited to explore extraordinary exhibitions, reprints of old prints and listen to beautiful music performed by a Polish-Ukrainian group. We will also serve food to our guests, because Polish cuisine is culinary poetry, “ said Jaworski.

He added that "the Book Institute, together with its partners: Polish Office in Taipei, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, and the National Library would like to invite you to an extraordinary encounter with Poland - because Poland is always where the Polish spirit is, and this spirit is infused in Polish literature."

Source: from Taipei Katarzyna Krzykowska, Polish Press Agency (PAP)