Taipei Book Fair attracted 500,000 visitors

The Taipei International Book Exhibition 2016 concludes today, with a total of 500,000 visitors. The newly appointed chairman of Taipei Book Fair Foundation, Zhao Zheng-min said, there will be more cross-border promotion and continuous efforts.

The 24^th Taipei International Book Exhibition started on 16^th for 6 days was held in Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Halls 1 and 3. Over 600 publishers from 66 countries have set up 1,706 booths, 875 events, 536 copyright conferences and 308 Media Cooperation Meetings.

Taipei International Book Exhibition held the closing ceremony in the evening, Tsai Ping-kun, the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Culture, expressed that Hungarian theme pavilion has held 41 events in 6 days, “Exhibition of Eileen Zhang’s Style” with intensive interactive dialogues, both showed high popularity. This year’s fair has reached its function of culture communication, promoting reading and rooted in reading, international communication and copyright trading.

Wang Gui-hua, chairman of Taipei Book Fair Foundation, said visitors under 18-year-old has reached 138,000, last year was 189,000. The reduction in number is due to the starting of the school. To attract student visitors, “Interesting Book Fair for New Term” activity is newly launched. There are a total of 10,000 people for the pre-registration and on-site registration.

Last year, there were total 560,000 visitors in the book fair, this year is 500,000. Wang Gui-hua said the weather was not ideal during first couple of days. The crowds have increased dramatically on the fourth day. The theme pavilion for next year is still under negotiation, the result will be released after confirmation.

Wang Gui-hua has introduced the newly appointed Chairman, Zhao Zheng-Min. Zhao said, speaking of the future, he took the job with the feeling of exciting, terrifying and nervous. Taiwan has absolute free atmosphere in publishing and multi-culture, where offers good democracy and creativity. He hopes to promote Taipei to become the Eastern City of Reading and Publication through Taipei International Book Exhibition.

Zhao Zheng-min said, there can be more cross-border promotion, including in the area of culture, music, art, digital and others. This year’s theme is “Reading, flying to the world”: bring the world in, take Taiwan out, and continue provide platform to make an impact, with the intent of improving publishing industry and reading culture through continuing efforts, hoping to drive the sales not only during the six days of the exhibition, but also for the whole year.