The Polish Book Institute

"The Taiwanese see very many similarities between China's relationship to Taiwan and Russia's relationship to Ukraine. It is living in the shadow of a large neighbour who does not accept your independence," popular reportage author Witold Szabłowski told Polish Press Agency (PAP) in Taipei.

The Taipei International Book Exhibition TIBE, one of the most important events of its kind in the Far East, was taking place in the Taiwanese capital Taipei since Tuesday. This was the first time Poland appeared as Guest of Honour. The event included meetings with Polish artists, concerts, and the tasting of Polish food. The fair ended on 5^th February.

One of the guests at the event was Witold Szabłowski. His three books, Tańczące niedźwiedzie (“Dancing Bears”, published in Poland in 2014), Jak nakarmić dyktatora (“How to Feed a Dictator”, 2019), and Rosja od kuchni (”What's Cooking in the Kremlin”, 2021), have been translated into traditional Chinese.

"I already have my third book published in Taiwan. It's extremely nice, unusual things happen to me here," the writer said.

'Dancing Bears. True Stories of People Nostalgic for Life Under Tyranny appears on the Ministry of Culture of Taiwan's 'Recommended Reading List for Primary and Secondary School Students'. "The poor Taiwanese children will be tortured by my book. I don't know whether to be happy about it, because there might be a generation of Taiwanese growing up who will hate me," Szabłowski said with a smile.

Referring to the book What's Cooking in the Kremlin, premiering at the Taipei International Book Exhibition, he pointed out that Taiwanese people "see very many similarities between China's relationship to Taiwan and Russia's relationship to Ukraine".

"It is living in the shadow of a large neighbour who does not accept your independence, your entity. I hope this book will make its way here in the coming days," he stated.

Asked if he enjoys meeting local audiences, he said, "Meeting Taiwanese readers is different than in Poland. In Poland, it doesn't happen very often that readers take photos with writers. Here, virtually every reader wishes to have a photo with the author, everyone is on social media, most people ask about my Instagram, so the meetings have a completely different feel. They are more lively, they react more vividly. I love these meetings and I enjoy being here an awful lot."

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: Katarzyna Krzykowska, Polish Press Agency (PAP)