The government has announced the major changes to next year’s Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE). That’s the word from Culture Minister Cheng Li-chiun on Monday.
2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the annual event.
As Taiwan’s publishing industry undergoes a transformation, Cheng said she hopes that the book fair will encourage a love of reading, promote international exchanges, and build a professional publishing industry environment.
The exhibition hall, for example, will be reorganized according to book categories. There will be a section for books published by NGOs and independent bookstores as part of the government’s plan to boost civic-mindedness. There will also be a prize for exhibitors who match the design of their booths to the characteristics of their books.
The government is also hoping that bookshops, schools, arts and cultural centers, as well as the cultural ministry’s offices abroad will hold events to encourage public interest in reading at the same time.
Next year’s book fair is scheduled for early February.