TIBE promotes cross-cultural thinking

2016/02/17

The 24th edition of Taipei International Book Exhibition is promoting cross-border communications in the global publishing industry while strengthening Taiwan’s presence as an Asia-Pacific hub for copyright exchanges.

Exhibitions span children’s books, comics and animation, electronic media, government publications, university presses and world literature. These help ensure TIBE’s standing as the largest book show in Asia and premier status alongside events like Frankfurt Book Fair of Germany, Bologna Children’s Book Fair of Italy and BookExpo America of the U.S.

A total of 1,706 booths by 626 publishers from 66 countries and territories is certain to push attendance above last year’s record 560,000. In addition, there are 528 copyright transaction sessions during the six-day event, as well as the Book Meets Film cross-media matching forum—a platform for adapting 19 titles into TV dramas and films since its inauguration in 2012.

Doris Wang, chairwoman of event organizer Taipei Book Fair Foundation, attributed TIBE’s success to strong ties with the worldwide book fair and publishing community. She cited collaboration with FBF on launching Frankfurt Academy Training Program for Asian publishing professionals in Taipei.

“This undertaking takes the partnership between two of the world’s largest book fairs to the next level,” Wang said. “Since its inception in 2014, the program has introduced Asian publishers to the latest trends in publishing innovations, marketing plans and production knowledge.

“At the same time, it has paved a path for enhanced participation of global industry players in the regional publishing scene.”

This development is underscored by the guest of honor initiative, which selects a theme country or territory each year to highlight the possibilities of cross-cultural understanding and partnership. A total of 24 countries and territories have received the treatment, including Asia-Pacific Publishers Association members Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand in 2014 and New Zealand in 2015.

This year sees TIBE team up with Hungary’s Balassi Institute to bring the book lovers of Taiwan and the central European country closer.

Looking ahead, TBFF expects to further the TIBE’s role in advancing international exchanges, publishing professionalism, reading promotion, and extending reach in the Asia-Pacific.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=242245&ctNode=2194&mp=9)