• 2018-02-06

The 26^th Taipei International Book Exhibition took placeon February 6-11, 2018 at Taipei World Trade Center exhibition halls. This yearthe National Central Library (NCL) once again invited the National TaiwanLibrary and National Library of Public Information to help put together a jointexhibit. The theme chosen for this year was “A Fantastic Voyage in the Sea ofBooks.” The opening ceremony for the exhibit was held on February 6. ChiefSecretary Dr. Nan-shyan Chu (朱楠賢) represented theMinistry of Education (MOE), while Taipei Book Fair Foundation (TBFF) Chairman Cheng-mingChao (趙政岷), Israel Economic and Cultural Office Representative Asher Yarden,and Taiwan Hope of Vision Foundation Chairman Dr. Chung-wei Kan (甘仲維) were invited to attend and give speeches. 

In her speech, NCL Director-General Shu-hsien Tseng (曾淑賢) highlighted the fact that a partnership exists between librariesand publishers. When readers use libraries more, they fall in love withreading; and the more they cultivate reading habits, the more often they buybooks. MOE Chief Secretary Chu encouraged the audience to enthusiasticallyattend Taipei’s book exhibitions, buy more books there, and read more, whiledelivering his remarks. TBFF Chairman Chao highly praised the highlydistinctive design of this year’s exhibition booth, saying it was like a bigship had sailed onto the exhibition floor. 

This year’s joint exhibit utilizedreproductions of books and historical materials, as well as photographs ofcultural artifacts, housed in the three libraries. The display showed thevariety of ways to read, from traditional paper publications to modern digitaltechnology. At 12 set times each day, visitors could also go on a guided tour,leading them on a romantic encounter with books, filled with intellect anddelight.