The 2024 Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest book fair, is being held from October 16 to 20. This year, six Taiwanese authors—Katniss Hsiao, Pei-Yun Yu, Sean Chuang, Yi-Hang Ma, Joanne Deng, and Ping Lu—attended to participate in various forums and events, bringing the diversity and beauty of Taiwanese literature and graphic works to the global stage. For the first time, Taiwan is also joining the newly established Asia Stage and THE ARTS+ Stage, which focuses on interdisciplinary collaborations. Additionally, to enhance the international visibility and translation potential of Taiwan’s original works, the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) is hosting the inaugural "Taiwan Night" for international publishers to engage and exchange ideas; approximately 200 representatives from 40 countries joined the event, including prominent global publishing groups such as HarperCollins and Macmillan.
Taiwan’s Representative to Germany, Jhy-Wey Shieh, attended the opening of the Taiwan Pavilion to extend his congratulations. TAICCA Chairman, Dr. Jiun-Wei Lu, pointed out that the featured authors and exhibited titles at the Taiwan Pavilion this year fully embody Taiwan's diversity and inclusivity while highlighting the potential and business opportunities in interdisciplinary adaptation. TAICCA will continue to expand the international reach of Taiwanese creators and works through participating in international fairs and fostering relationships with buyers, promoting rights sales and visibility of Taiwanese content on the global stage.
TAICCA Chairman, Dr. Jiun-Wei Lu, stated that TAICCA will continue to participate in international fairs and foster relationships with buyers to bring Taiwanese creators and works to the global stage, promoting rights sales and content distribution.
Five Sections in the Taiwan Pavilion Showcase Taiwan’s Creative Power and Cultural Landscape
The 2024 Taiwan Pavilion, organized by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and co-organized by the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, features 56 Taiwanese publishers and 328 original Taiwanese titles. This year, the Taiwan Pavilion is divided into five sections: the “In Between” thematic selection, “Featured Authors,” “Titles with Rights Sold,” “Publishers,” and “Books from Taiwan.” The “Titles with Rights Sold” section not only presents Taiwanese titles that have been translated into foreign languages but also highlights a selection of cross-media adaptations, including works that have been developed into films, board games, and more, demonstrating the boundless potential of Taiwan's creation.
This year’s thematic book selection titled “In Between,” features 42 curated books spanning children’s literature, comics, fiction, and non-fiction. These works reflect the intricate interplay of identity and narrative within Taiwan’s literary and cultural landscape. The featured authors and works at the Taiwan Pavilion capture Taiwan’s pursuits for cultural and political identity, conveying Taiwan’s evolving history, values, and the diverse voices that shape contemporary society, as well as the creative energy that emerges from this dynamic process, to the international publishing scene.
At the Taiwan Pavilion opening, Taiwan’s Representative to Germany, Jhy-Wey Shieh (center), TAICCA Chairman Dr. Jiun-Wei Lu (fourth from right), Taipei Book Fair Foundation Chairperson Yun-Yi Wu (third from right), Taipei Book Fair Foundation Director Hsiu-Yin Wang (second from right), along with authors Sean Chuang, Joanne Deng, Pei-Yun Yu, Ping Lu (from left to right), and Yi-Hang Ma (first from right) posed for a group photo.
Inaugural Taiwan Night Fosters International Exchange, Taiwan Representatives Shine on Asia Stage
In addition to the opening reception, TAICCA organized the first-ever “Taiwan Night,” inviting exhibitor representatives and publishing professionals from around the world for international exchange. “Taiwan Night” has attracted around 200 industry professionals from 40 countries, including major global publishing groups such as HarperCollins and Macmillan.
With growing global attention on the Asian market, this year's fair introduced the Asia Stage. Representatives from the Taiwan Pavilion are taking part in six events, offering unique Taiwanese insights and engaging in discussions with international experts. To boost international rights sales, the pavilion has invited eight rights managers from various Taiwanese publishing houses. Throughout the event, 20 matchmaking sessions have been arranged, actively promoting Taiwanese publications and building global networks.
The Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany is the world's largest event for publishing rights trade. The Taiwan Pavilion is hosting a number of rights meeting to promote Taiwanese publications and build international networks.
First Appearance on THE ARTS+ Stage and German-Language Talks to Expand Global Readership
To increase international exposure for Taiwanese creators, the Taiwan Pavilion, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, and TAICCA, has invited six featured authors to participate in a series of lectures and events. Three author-led events will explore topics such as film and TV adaptations, Taiwan’s society and cultural identity, and Taiwanese comics in the global market. Other events include a talk in German and book signing for Son of Formosa, a German translation and reading session of Von Berglern und Geheimagenten－Zeitgenössische Erzählungen aus Taiwan, and a live drawing session with Sean Chuang.
For the first time, the Taiwan Pavilion is participating in THE ARTS+ Stage, which focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration. Katniss Hsiao and Joanne Deng will kick off the first dialogue, both of whose renowned works were selected for the Cannes Film Festival's "Shoot the Book!" program. The session will explore how their respective backgrounds in screenwriting and performance have shaped their unique writing styles and will also highlight the potential for books to be adapted into film and television. Additionally, in a closing conversation with German scholar Lucia Obi, Pei-Yun Yu will introduce to the German readers Son of Formosa, a book that has sold rights in eight countries and won multiple international awards. The talk will also touch upon the promotion and development of Taiwanese comics in the global market.
On-Site Retail Integration and Online Taiwan Pavilion Boost Impact
For the first time, TAICCA has partnered with Taiwan’s two largest online booksellers, Readmoo and Books.com.tw, allowing visitors at the Taiwan Pavilion to purchase exhibited works online, driving international retail. At the same time, an online Taiwan Pavilion has been set up to offer English translation samples of selected works, rights contact information, and downloadable catalogs for international publishers’ easy access, further facilitating rights sales.
The Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF), held every October in Germany, is the world’s most important event for the book industry. In 2023, the fair attracted 4,000 exhibitors and more than 100,000 professionals from 130 countries, with a total of 210,000 visitors. This year, Italy, being the guest of honor country, embraces the theme "Roots in the Future," focusing on topics such as freedom of publishing, politics and war, and women's empowerment.
※Taiwan Pavilion ONLINE: https://frankfurt-booksfromtaiwan.taicca.tw/