• 2012-04-13

In 1995, UNESCO proclaimed April 23 World Book Day, underscoring the urgent need to emphasize and promote reading. This day is a call for countries throughout the world to hold events and activities that will increase reading awareness, entice the public to become passionate about reading, and develop a habit of reading daily. Creating a culture of reading requires the strength of the government and the public. National Central Library (NCL) has always been active in leading libraries, schools, and communities in promoting a passion for reading throughout society. Because of this, World Book Day for 2012 in Taiwan will take the form of a nationwide reading promotion activity, with a theme of reading poetry. Through these activities, the public will become aware of the diverse number of poetry anthologies in Chinese and other languages, which will increase people’s ability to appreciate reading, create an atmosphere of life-long learning and of classical reading, and encourage the public to develop an interest and a strong ability in reading. The NCL unites the strength of cultural/educational organizations throughout Taiwan to undergo diversified and attractive activities. More details could be found at the program’s accompanying website (http: //101read.ncl.edu.tw/). Seven activities will be held from February to June all over Taiwan. It is estimated that over 100,000 people will attend. Details of each core activity, Spring Poetry Reading Day, and announcements are as follows: ◎World Book Day Core Activities 1. Searching, for Formosa in Poetry: Poetic References of Counties and Cities Time: April 23 to June 23 Venue: NCL and public libraries throughout Taiwan Content: Starting in April, 319 townships and town will hold activities encouraging the public to find references to their town, community, or school in poetry. These will fill up the map of Taiwan, showing how much literary creations have developed in Taiwan. It will also make apparent the various styles and content of poems on cities and schools. 2. Searching, to Share and Ask after Poetry Time: April 23 Venue: Various locations throughout Taiwan. Content: • NCL and the Experimental Elementary School at the Taipei Municipal University of Education invite elementary students to recite poetry and tell stories as a way to celebrate World Book Day and promote various forms of literature. • NCL and Chunghua Telecom have teamed up to text a poem to the public between April 21 and 23. • A letter has been sent out to all junior high and elementary schools encouraging teachers to read a poem to students on April 23 and to have students write down a poem to share with their parents after school. This way, on World Book Day the entire island will be filled with the sounds of poetry describing the achievements of its rich and warm culture. 3. Searching, for 99 Ways to Read Poetry: A Display of Multimedia Poetry Time: April 21 at 2: 00 and 7: 00 pm Venue: National Central Library’s Auditorium Content: • Many renowned poets, authors, actors, and musicians have been invited to share their interpretations of poetry through plays, multimedia presentations, speeches, and song. • The Minister of Education and other high ranking officials have also been invited. ◎Activities for Spring Poetry Reading Day 1. Ode to Spring: Lectures Series on the Beauty of Reading Poetry Time: February through April 30, every other Saturday or Sunday from 2-5 p.m. Venue: National Central Library’s International Conference Hall 2. Ode to Spring: Circuit Lecture Series on the Beauty of Reading Poetry and Melding Music with Poetry Time: April to June Venue: Public and school libraries throughout Taiwan Content: • For this circuit tour of lectures, many famous poets and scholars have been invited to give 40 speeches at over 25 public libraries or schools, providing the public and students with an opportunity to experience the texture and depth of poetry. • A unique lecture series will be held in major cities throughout Taiwan on poetry with musical accompaniment. This combination of poetry and music will give poets a chance to dialog and the public a chance to experience poetry in a new way, resulting in increased interest in poetry and a desire to learn the terse nature of poetic expression. 3. Searching, the Myriad Forms of Poetry: An Exhibit of Anthologies, Manuscripts, and Ancient Books Time: April 14 to May 5 Venue: National Central Library’s Exhibition Hall Content: On display are many ancient anthologies from NCL’s special collections, as well as new style poetry, manuscripts, and anthologies written during the early days of the Republic (1911), from NCL, publishers and private collectors. ◎Advertising and Publicity Chunghua Telecom, Taipei Metro, Kaohsiung Metro, National Education Radio, Police Broadcasting Service, Broadcasting Corporation of China, Da’ai TV and IC Broadcasting Co. will all collaborate in publicizing these events on the internet, in public places, and via broadcast media.