News
The final sixth day of the Taipei International Book Exhibition TIBE has ended. Visitors to the fair could, among other things, take part in a Polish language lesson, as well as attend meetings with the writer Stanisław Łubieński and the illustrator Piotr Socha. At the closing ceremony, the organisers announced that the Taipei International Book Exhibition was visited by 500,000 people this year!
On the last day of the fair, the Polish stand was well attended again - mainly the younger participants took part in a workshop where they learnt words in Polish, which they did all the more eagerly as the lesson was organised in the form of a game. The older guests came to hear what Stanisław Łubieński and Witold Szabłowski had to say about their work. Piotr Socha was also introduced to visitors at the fair. It is worth mentioning that the Polish stand was also visited that day by distinguished guests - Taiwan's Deputy Prime Minister Cheng Wen-tsan and Taiwan's Minister of Culture Shih Che.
Programme of the Polish stand on the last day of the fair:
11:00 – A workshop "Let's learn Polish! The first step".
13:00 - A meeting with Stanisław Łubieński.
14:00 - A discussion between Witold Szabłowski and representatives of 'The Reporter', an independent Taiwanese news service that focuses on investigative journalism.
14:15 - A meeting with Piotr Socha.
A closing ceremony was held at 16:30 Taiwan time, during which organisers announced that a total of 500,000 people visited the Taipei International Book Exhibition this year.
“When we arrived in Taipei ten days ago, we asked ourselves: how will Polish literature be received here? How will Poland be received? We brought with us Polish novelists, poets, essayists, creators of comics, children's literature, illustrators, and publishers. We also brought reprints of old prints, beautiful book illustrations, music, and Polish food. For the whole week, there were meetings, talks, workshops, presentations, tastings, and concerts. And we have been amazed since day one: by the number of people visiting the stand with the name POLAND, their interest in Polish culture, their friendliness, and their enthusiasm. I am convinced that it is only Friends who can react in this way,” said Book Institute Director Dariusz Jaworski at the closing ceremony.
The Taipei International Book Exhibition began on 31st January and ended on 5th February. It is one of the largest events of its kind in Asia. This year, Poland held the honourable role of Guest of Honour at the fair. The programme of the Polish stand was jointly prepared by the Book Institute and the Polish Office in Taipei.
The International Book Exhibition in Taipei is part of the strategy pursued by the Book Institute, the aim of which is to have a sustained, distinct presence of Polish literature in places where up to now Polish books have not been available or have been insufficiently available.
The project was co-financed by funds from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the task 'Poland as Guest of Honour at the TIBE 2023 International Book Exhibition in Taipei'.
