TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) opened the Taipei International Book Exhibition on Tuesday morning, highlighting the role of reading in shaping a nation’s culture, values, and future generations.
The 34th edition of the exhibition is being held at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1 and runs through Sunday. A Taipei Book Fair Foundation press release said the event features 509 booths from 29 countries, with Thailand serving as this year’s theme country. About 60 international authors are expected to attend.
In his opening remarks, Lai emphasized the importance of reading programs as part of a country’s cultural development and long-term vision. He said he hoped for a world free from powerful authoritarian regimes waging war, where people can live in peace.
Lai recalled his time as mayor of Tainan, when many parents were focused on getting their children into elite schools. He said he told school principals, teachers and parents that entering a good school was less important than finding a good teacher, and that finding good books was even more important than finding a good teacher. He said he strongly promoted reading programs during his tenure, per CNA.
The president also cited a television interview with acclaimed architect Kris Yao (姚仁喜), noting that Yao’s home did not have a television and that Yao spoke about his favorite books and authors, including books purchased for him by his daughter.
By contrast, Lai said he grew up watching puppet shows on television and only began reading martial arts novels in junior high school. In high school and university, he read Chinese translations of foreign novels, while his university reading focused mainly on medical textbooks.
Lai said not every family can provide children with the same environment as Yao’s, but government-supported reading programs can play a crucial role in benefiting children and strengthening the nation’s future.
Minister of Culture Li Yuan (李遠) also addressed the opening ceremony, describing the event as Asia’s largest book fair. He said it provides an opportunity to promote Taiwan’s literary works, comics, and picture books overseas, while also allowing local audiences to engage with leading authors from around the world.
Li said Taiwan has gained increasing international recognition in recent years through translated works and literary awards, helping people around the world better understand one another.
Taipei Book Fair Foundation Chair Rex How (郝明義) said that at a time when AI is reshaping how people understand knowledge, values and beliefs, many still attend the book fair because they “believe in the power of books” and “believe in the power of reading.”
How said Lai’s attendance underscored Taiwan’s important role as a hub for the free world of Chinese-language publishing.
