The Polish Book Institute

“The problem of waste is a global problem. This is not an empty slogan," Stanislaw Łubieński, whose Książka o śmieciach (“What We Leave Behind”) in Traditional Chinese is premiering at the Taipei International Book Exhibition, told Polish Press Agency (PAP).

The Taipei International Book Exhibition TIBE, one of the most important events of its kind in the Far East, has been taking place in the Taiwanese capital Taipei since Tuesday. This is the first time Poland is appearing as Guest of Honour. The event includes meetings with Polish artists, concerts, and the tasting of Polish food. The fair will last until 5 February.

On Friday, a meeting was held with Stanisław Łubieński, author of What We Leave Behind, which was published in Traditional Chinese. The book premiered in Poland in 2020.

Łubieński’s What We Leave Behind is a collection of essays on waste illustrated with the author's photographs. These are literary essays but based on research and conversations with specialists. In the book, the winner of the 2017 Nike Readers' Award wonders what is modern waste and how has it changed over the centuries? What threat does it pose and what can we do about it? What does it say about our civilisation? About modern man. About intemperance, greed, selfishness. About the landscape we have found and the one we will leave behind.

"Each translation and the opportunity to meet other readers, other sensitivities and histories, is a privilege. I am glad that this book is proving to be universal enough to reach readers in Taiwan as well," said Łubieński. He assessed that it is long overdue to "start acting on the issue of waste”. "I didn't want my book to be depressive and pessimistic. I think it actually leaves some hope. I have used this book myself in a therapeutic way. It was very hard for me when I was learning about what was happening with our waste, but eventually I freed myself from a lot of fears, and I also understood that our individual contribution to change is quite limited. There is no need to tear your hair out, but it is important to influence those in power so that such positive changes take place," the writer pointed out.

Asked by the PAP whether ecology is given much importance in Asia, he replied, "Since someone has decided to translate my book, apparently there are also 'blank spots’ here, spaces that this book will fill."

"Readers in Taiwan will, naturally, read my book differently. It is both Polish and Eurocentric. I didn't travel to Asia when I wrote it, so there is little experience from that region or from other parts of the world, but the problem of waste is a global problem, it's not an empty slogan," Łubieński assessed.

There is also an educational and nature walk with Mr Łubieński through the 'Daan Forest Park' on Saturday as part of the Taipei International Book Exhibition.

The main organiser of the Polish presentation are the Book Institute and the Polish Office in Taipei. They are partnered by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the National Library, the Pilecki Institute, and the International Cultural Centre. 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'.

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