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, Peiyun Yu, Sean Chuang, Yi-Hang Ma, Joanne Deng, and Ping Lu—will attend to participate in various forums and promotional 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, as well as THE ARTS+ Stage, which focuses on cross-sector collaborations, to participate in multiple events. 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.

Representative of Taiwan in 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 exhibition titles at the Taiwan Pavilion this year fully embody the diversity and inclusivity of Taiwan’s creative output, while also highlighting the potential and business opportunities in cross-sector translation. TAICCA will continue to expand the international reach of Taiwanese creators and works through participation in international fairs and fostering relationships with buyers, promoting copyright transactions and authentic content on the global stage.

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Five Sections in the Taiwan Pavilion to Showcase the Potential of Taiwanese Creative Power and Cultural Landscape

The 2024 Taiwan Pavilion, hosted by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and 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, the “Featured Authors”, the “Titles with Rights Sold”, the “Exhibitors”, and “Books from Taiwan.” The “Titles with Rights Sold” section not only presents Taiwanese works 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 and fluid potential of creativity.

The thematic book selection for this year is based on “In Between,” featuring 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 invited authors and works at the Taiwan Pavilion capture Taiwan’s journey in seeking 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.

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Inaugural Taiwan Night Fosters International Exchange, Shines on Asia Stage

In addition to the opening reception, TAICCA also organized the first-ever “Taiwan Night,” inviting book fair representatives and publishing professionals from around the world. The event aims to promote global awareness of Taiwanese publications and facilitate connections with Taiwanese publishers. “Taiwan Night” has attracted around 200 publishing 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 several events, offering unique Taiwanese insights and engaging in dynamic discussions with international experts. To foster more international rights transactions, 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.

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First Appearance on THE ARTS+ Stage: Cross-Disciplinary Adaptation 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 cross-disciplinary adaptations into film and television, Taiwan’s societal realities and cultural identity, and observations on the global market for Taiwanese comics. 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 will participate in THE ARTS+ Stage, which focuses on cross-sector collaboration. Katniss Hsiao and Joanne Deng will kick off the first discussion, 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, Peiyun 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.

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On-Site Retail Integration and Online Taiwan Pavilion Expand Benefits

For the first time, TAICCA has partnered with Taiwan’s two largest reading platforms, Readmoo and Books.com.tw, allowing visitors at the Taiwan Pavilion to easily access online platforms and purchase related exhibition works, 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, making it easier for international publishers to view and access materials, further enhancing the effectiveness of copyright promotion.

The Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF), held every October in Germany, is the world’s most important publishing event. In 2023, the fair attracted 4,000 exhibitors and more than 100,000 professionals from 130 countries, attracting 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.

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※Taiwan Pavilion ONLINE： https://frankfurt-booksfromtaiwan.taicca.tw/

※Taiwan Pavilion Events Schedule

Time	Event Title	Venue	Guests
10/16（Wed） 16:00-17:00	Opening ceremony of the Taiwan Pavillion	Taiwan Pavilion Hall 6.0 D57
10/17（Thu） 18:00-20:00	Taiwan Night	Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Salon 15
10/18（Fri） 11:00-12:00	Life Between Scripts and Books: When a Screenwriter and an Actress Become Writers	THE ARTS+ Stage Hall 4.1	Michelle Kroes (Moderator, CAA), Katniss Hsiao (Author), Joanne Deng (Author)
10/18（Fri） 14:00-15:00	Son of Formosa – Author Signing Event	Taiwan Pavilion Hall 6.0 D57	Baobab Books, Pei-Yun Yu(Author)
10/18（Fri） 15:00-16:00	Society Through Literary Lenses: A Talk with Taiwan Writers	International Stage	Su Shin (Moderator, BK Agency), Ping Lu (Author), Yi-Hang Ma (Author)
10/18（Fri） 16:00-17:00	Sean Chuang: Author Presentation and Signing Event	Taiwan Pavilion Hall 6.0 D57	Sean Chuang (Comic Artist)
10/19（Sat） 15:00-16:00	„Von Berglern und Geheimagenten“ – Zeitgenössische Erzählungen aus Taiwan und ihre Übertragung ins Deutsche, Lesung mit Autorin, Übersetzern und Herausgeberin	Taiwan Pavilion Hall 6.0 D57	Prof. Dr. Hsu An-Nie (Herausgeberin), Ping Lu (Autorin), Prof. Dr. Hans Peter Hoffmann(Übersetzer), Dr. Brigitte Höhenrieder(Übersetzer)
10/20（Sun） 13:00-14:00	Taiwanesische Comic-Künstler auf dem internationalen Buchmarkt	THE ARTS+ Stage Hall 4.1	Lucia Obi (Moderatorin, Internationale Jugendbibliothek), Pei-Yun Yu(Autorin)