Italy has been selected as the guest of honor country at the 2025 Taipei International Book Exhibition running Feb. 4-9 at the Taipei World Trade Center in the capital, the Ministry of Culture said Jan. 17.
 
According to the MOC, the Italian pavilion is themed “In the High Imagination” and will feature two sections, with one showcasing works from 30 emerging comic artists and illustrators and the other displaying 60 children’s picture books published between 2023-2024 that were selected by the Switzerland-based International Board on Books for Young People.
 
In addition, 11 heavyweight Italian authors published in genres ranging from contemporary literature to children’s, detective and suspense fiction are scheduled to join the event’s activities to interact with readers, the ministry said, adding that eight publishers will also take part to explore cooperation with local counterparts.
 
Over 50 authors from around the world are slated to attend the event, including those from Italy, Belgum, Czechia, Hong Kong, France, Japan, Poland, Thailand, the U.K. and the U.S., the MOC said. Among them are Hong Kong martial arts novelist Jozev Kiu Ching-fu, British illustrator Marion Deuchars and Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto, it added.
 
The ministry went on to introduce some of the other countries’ pavilions, including Thailand, which will focus on horror, mystery and supernatural themes, and the Czech Republic, which will display its collections of contemporary literature. Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India and Poland will also have dedicated pavilions at the event, it said.
 
First held in 1987 by Taipei Book Fair Foundation under the MOC’s auspices, TIBE is the leading event of its kind in Asia and one of the world’s largest alongside the Frankfurt Book Fair, Bologna Children’s Book Fair and BookExpo America.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)