TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Culture Minister Li Yuan (李遠) said Taiwan wants to be seen by the world at the debut Taiwan Writer Festival's press conference on Friday.
The Epoch Times reported that Li showed up as a writer instead of a minister. He said literary events kept him going and made him feel at home.
Li said no one dared to set up a writers festival before because people thought Taiwan could not pull it off. He added the name “Taiwan Writer Festival” sounded simple and honest.
"Translation is the key to getting Taiwan’s books out into the world," the culture minister noted.
The festival honors South Korean translator Kim Tae-sung, who has worked on Taiwan literature for 30 years. Li said Kim moved to Taiwan because he felt healed by its people and its land.
Li pointed out that Taiwan has grabbed more global attention after COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, and he sees growing interest in film, music, and books. He said the Golden Horse Awards dominate every November, but he hopes the Taiwan Writer Festival will also gain notice.
The event opened Nov. 7 with workshops and forums. More than 30 events will run through Nov. 30 across Taipei, bringing together nearly 60 writers, translators, and publishers.
