The Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) announced Taiwan as the 2025 Seoul International Book Fair’s Guest of Honor country on Tuesday. The Culture Ministry has partnered with TAICCA to design a pavilion under the theme “Taiwan Sensibility,” showcasing the island’s literary landscape and promoting cultural exchange between Taiwan and South Korea.
The pavilion’s curatorial advisor, Rex How (郝明義), also Chairman of the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, explained that in the Korean context, “Taiwan Sensibility” conveys a distinctive emotional connection to the island. He says it will be explored through various dimensions, including land, travel, lifestyle, history, and the emotional qualities found in Taiwanese literature and visual culture. He expressed hope that the pavilion will present both the familiar and lesser-known faces of Taiwan to visitors.
Culture Minister Lee Yuan (李遠) emphasized that literature is the most powerful expression of Taiwan’s cultural identity. He drew a parallel with the development of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, which grew from humble beginnings into a global hub for artificial intelligence. In the same spirit, he described Taiwan’s participation in this year’s book fair as a mountain-building effort aimed at increasing Taiwan’s global visibility.
Lee also expressed hope that, through literature, the world will come to appreciate the unique cultural sensibilities of modern Taiwan. These sensibilities are reflected in the island’s environmental awareness, commitment to human rights, and engagement with historical issues, all conveyed through its vibrant literary creativity.
According to TAICCA, the book fair will take place from June 18 to 22. A delegation of 23 Taiwanese authors, 20 literary agencies, and approximately 300 publishers is expected to participate.