Taiwan launches a new touring children’s book fair. The inaugural event takes place in Taichung this September, featuring international exhibitors and forums.
A significant new event is set to grace the Asian publishing calendar this September. The inaugural Taiwan International Children and Youth Book Fair will be held September 18 through 21 in Taichung City.
This initiative, spearheaded by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, marks a strategic expansion of the island’s renowned literary event portfolio, directly inspired by the successful models of youth-focused fairs in Italy, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.
A Mobile Literary Mission
In a distinctive approach, the fair is designed to be a touring event, relocating to a new Taiwanese city each year. This mobility is a core tenet of its mission: to decentralise cultural access and actively promote reading habits among younger generations across the entire nation.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Lee Ching-hwi, emphasised that while the annual Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) remains a cornerstone event, this new fair will extend its reach beyond the capital.
Taichung: A Fitting First Host
The choice of Taichung as the inaugural host city is highly symbolic. It is the future home of the National Taiwan Museum of Comics, cementing its status as a burgeoning hub for narrative arts and visual storytelling. This alignment provides a natural synergy for an event dedicated to the next generation of readers.
An International and Interactive Programme
Under the theme “Crossing Cities, Reading Without Borders,” the fair’s programme is both extensive and ambitious. It will feature a diverse array of sections, including dedicated zones for children’s literature, civic engagement, comics, illustration, and general literature. A highlight will be the Italy pavilion, a direct import from the 2025 Taipei International Book Exhibition, underlining the event’s global aspirations.
Per the press release, beyond the exhibition halls, the fair will offer a rich schedule of professional forums and public activities. International publishing professionals from across Europe and Japan will join local experts for knowledge-sharing sessions. For visitors, the experience will be enhanced by hands-on handicraft workshops, immersive exhibitions, author readings, and special sales promotions, creating a dynamic and engaging environment for all attendees.
Taiwan Today has more details.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
